Common polymorphism in scn5a implicated in drug-induced cardiac arrhythmia

ABSTRACT

The present invention is directed to a specific mutation in SCN5A which causes drug-induced torsade de pointes or ventricular fibrillation. Persons with the mutation are predisposed to developing drug-induced torsade de pointes or ventricular fibrillation when administered certain drugs. This predisposition can be diagnosed in accordance with the present invention by analyzing the DNA sequence of the SCN5A of an individual. By screening patients for the mutation, drug-induced torsade de pointes or ventricular fibrillation can be avoided. Furthermore, drugs can be tested to determine whether they will cause torsade de pointes or ventricular fibrillation.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a national stage filing under 35 U.S.C. §371 of international patent application number PCT/US01/22639 filed 19 Jul. 2001. The present application is further related to and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/219,738 filed 20 Jul. 2000, incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Sudden deaths from cardiac arrhythmias account for 11% of all natural deaths. Arrhythmias frequently result from treatment with medications, most commonly antiarrhythmic drugs.

Long QT Syndrome (LQTS) is a cardiovascular disorder characterized by prolongation of the QT interval on electrocardiogram and presence of syncope, seizures and sudden death. Five genes have been implicated in Romano-Ward syndrome, the autosomal dominant form of LQTS. These genes are KVLQT1, HERG, SCN5A, KCNE1 and KCNE2. Mutations in KVLQT1 and KCNE1 also cause the Jervell and Lange-Nielsen syndrome, a form of LQTS associated with deafness, a phenotypic abnormality inherited in an autosomal recessive fashion.

The present invention relates to an alteration in the SCN5A gene and methods for detecting the alteration.

The publications and other materials used herein to illuminate the background of the invention or provide additional details respecting the practice, are incorporated by reference, and for convenience are respectively grouped in the appended List of References.

The present invention is directed to an alteration in the SCN5A gene and its gene products which are associated with drug-induced torsade de pointes and ventricular fibrillation and to a process for the diagnosis and prevention of these disorders. These drug-induced physical disorders are diagnosed in accordance with the present invention by analyzing the DNA sequence of the SCN5A gene of an individual to be tested and comparing the DNA sequence to the known DNA sequence of the normal gene. Prediction of drug-induced torsade de pointes or ventricular fibrillation will enable practitioners to prevent this disorder using existing medical therapy.

Cardiac arrhythmias are a common cause of morbidity and mortality, accounting for approximately 11% of all natural deaths (Kannel, 1987; Willich et al., 1987). In general, presymptomatic diagnosis and treatment of individuals with life-threatening ventricular tachyarrhythmias is poor, and in some cases medical management actually increases the risk of arrhythmia and death (Cardiac Arrhythmia Suppression Trial II Investigators, 1992). These factors make early detection of individuals at risk for cardiac arrhythmias and arrhythmia prevention high priorities.

Both genetic and acquired factors contribute to the risk of developing cardiac arrhythmias. Long QT syndrome (LQT) is an inherited cardiac arrhythmia that causes abrupt loss of consciousness, syncope, seizures and sudden death from ventricular tachyarrhythmias, specifically torsade depointes and ventricular fibrillation (Ward, 1964; Romano, 1965; Schwartz et al., 1975; Moss et al., 1991). This disorder usually occurs in young, otherwise healthy individuals (Ward, 1964; Romano, 1965; Schwartz et al., 1975). Most LQT gene carriers manifest prolongation of the QT interval on electrocardiograms, a sign of abnormal cardiac repolarization (Vincent et al., 1992). The clinical features of LQT result from episodic cardiac arrhythmias, specifically repolarization-related ventricular tachyarrhythmias like torsade de pointes, named for the characteristic undulating nature of the electrocardiogram in this arrhythmia and ventricular fibrillation (Schwartz et al., 1975; Moss and McDonald, 1971). Torsade de pointes may degenerate into ventricular fibrillation, a particularly lethal arrhythmia. Although LQT is not a common diagnosis, ventricular arrhythmias are very common; more than 300,000 United States citizens die suddenly every year (Kannel, et al., 1987; Willich et al., 1987) and, in many cases, the underlying mechanism may be aberrant cardiac repolarization. LQT, therefore, provides a unique opportunity to study life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias at the molecular level.

Both inherited and acquired forms of LQT have been defined. Acquired LQT and secondary arrhythmias can result from cardiac ischemia, bradycardia and metabolic abnormalities such as low serum potassium or calcium concentration (Zipes, 1987). LQT can also result from treatment with certain medications, including antibiotics, antihistamines, general anesthetics, and, most commonly, antiarrhythmic medications (Zipes, 1987). Inherited forms of LQT can result from mutations in at least five different genes. In previous studies, LQT loci were mapped to chromosome 11p15.5 (KVLQT1 or LQT1) (Keating et al., 1991a; Keating et al., 1991b), 7q35–36 (HERG or LQT2), 3p21–24 (SCN5A or LQT3) (Jiang et al., 1994). Of these, the most common cause of inherited LQT is KVLQT1. Our data indicate that mutations in this gene are responsible for more than 50% of inherited LQT. A fourth LQT locus (LQT4) was mapped to 4q25–27 (Schott et al., 1995). Also, KCNE1 (LQT5) has been associated with long QT syndrome (Splawski et al., 1997b; Duggal et al., 1998). These genes encode ion channels involved in generation of the cardiac action potential. Mutations can lead to channel dysfunction and delayed myocellular repolarization. Because of regional heterogeneity of channel expression with the myocardium, the aberrant cardiac repolarization creates a substrate for arrhythmia. KVLQT1 and KCNE1 are also expressed in the inner ear (Neyroud et al., 1997; Vetter et al., 1996). We and others demonstrated that homozygous or compound heterozygous mutations in each of these genes can cause deafness and the severe cardiac phenotype of the Jervell and Lange-Nielsen syndrome (Neyroud et al., 1997; Splawski et al., 1997a; Schultze-Bahr et al., 1997; Tyson et al., 1997). Loss of functional channels in the ear apparently disrupts the production of endolymph, leading to deafness.

Presymptomatic diagnosis of LQT is currently based on prolongation of the QT interval on electrocardiograms. QTc (QT interval corrected for heart rate; Bazzett, 1920) greater than 0.44 second has traditionally classified an individual as affected. Most LQT patients, however, are young, otherwise healthy individuals, who do not have electrocardiograms. Moreover, genetic studies have shown that QTc is neither sensitive nor specific (Vincent et al., 1992). The spectrum of QTc intervals for gene carriers and non-carriers overlaps, leading to misclassifications. Non-carriers can have prolonged QTc intervals and be diagnosed as affected. Conversely, some LQT gene carriers have QTc intervals of ≦0.44 second but are still at increased risk for arrhythmia. Correct presymptomatic diagnosis is important for effective, gene-specific treatment of LQT.

Autosomal dominant and autosomal recessive forms of this disorder have been reported. Autosomal recessive LQT (also known as Jervell and Lange-Nielsen syndrome) has been associated with congenital neural deafness; this form of LQT is rare (Jervell and Lange-Nielsen, 1957). Autosomal dominant LQT (Romano-Ward syndrome) is more common, and is not associated with other phenotypic abnormalities (Romano et al., 1963; Ward, 1964). A disorder very similar to inherited LQT can also be acquired, usually as a result of pharmacologic therapy (Schwartz et al., 1975; Zipes, 1987).

The data have implications for the mechanism of arrhythmias in LQT. Two hypotheses for LQT have previously been proposed (Schwartz et al., 1994). One suggests that a predominance of left autonomic innervation causes abnormal cardiac repolarization and arrhythmias. This hypothesis is supported by the finding that arrhythmias can be induced in dogs by removal of the right stellate ganglion. In addition, anecdotal evidence suggests that some LQT patients are effectively treated by β-adrenergic blocking agents and by left stellate ganglionectomy (Schwartz et al., 1994). The second hypothesis for LQT-related arrhythmias suggests that mutations in cardiac-specific ion channel genes, or genes that modulate cardiac ion channels, cause delayed myocellular repolarization. Delayed myocellular repolarization could promote reactivation of L-type calcium channels, resulting in secondary depolarizations (January and Riddle, 1989). These secondary depolarizations are the likely cellular mechanism of torsade de pointes arrhythmias (Surawicz, 1989). This hypothesis is supported by the observation that pharmacologic block of potassium channels can induce QT prolongation and repolarization-related arrhythmias in humans and animal models (Antzelevitch and Sicouri, 1994). The discovery that one form of LQT results from mutations in a cardiac potassium channel gene supports the myocellular hypothesis.

In theory, mutations in a cardiac sodium channel gene could cause LQT. Voltage-gated sodium channels mediate rapid depolarization in ventricular myocytes, and also conduct a small current during the plateau phase of the action potential (Attwell et al., 1979). Subtle abnormalities of sodium channel function (e.g., delayed sodium channel inactivation or altered voltage-dependence of channel inactivation) could delay cardiac repolarization, leading to QT prolongation and arrhythmias. In 1992, Gellens and colleagues cloned and characterized a cardiac sodium channel gene, SCN5A (Gellens et al., 1992). The structure of this gene was similar to other, previously characterized sodium channels, encoding a large protein of 2016 amino acids. These channel proteins contain four homologous domains (DI-DIV), each of which contains six putative membrane spanning segments (S1–S6). SCN5A was mapped to chromosome 3p21, making it an excellent candidate gene for LQT3 (George et al., 1995), and this gene was then proved to be associated with LQT3 (Wang et al., 1995).

In 1994, Warmke and Ganetzky identified a novel human cDNA, human ether a-go-go related gene (HERG, Warmke and Ganetzky, 1994). HERG was localized to human chromosome 7 by PCR analysis of a somatic cell hybrid panel (Warmke and Ganetzky, 1994) making it a candidate for LQT2. It has predicted amino acid sequence homology to potassium channels. HERG was isolated from a hippocampal cDNA library by homology to the Drosophila ether a-go-go gene (eag), which encodes a calcium-modulated potassium channel (Bruggemann et al., 1993). HERG is not the human homolog of eag, however, sharing only ˜50% amino acid sequence homology. HERG has been shown to be associated with LQT2 (Curran et al., 1995).

LQT1 was found to be linked with the gene KVLQT1 (Q. Wang et al., 1996). Sixteen families with mutations in KVLQT1 were identified and characterized and it was shown that in all sixteen families there was complete linkage between LQT1 and KVLQT1. KVLQT1 was mapped to chromosome 11p15.5 making it a candidate gene for LQT1. KVLQT1 encodes a protein with structural characteristics of potassium channels, and expression of the gene as measured by Northern blot analysis demonstrated that KVLQT1 is most strongly expressed in the heart. One intragenic deletion and ten different missense mutations which cause LQT were identified in KVLQT1. These data define KVLQT1 as a novel cardiac potassium channel gene and show that mutations in this gene cause susceptibility to ventricular tachyarrhythmias and sudden death.

It was known that one component of the I_(Ks) channel is minK, a 130 amino acid protein with a single putative transmembrane domain (Takumi et al., 1988; Goldstein and Miller, 1991; Hausdorff et al., 1991; Takumi et al., 1991; Busch et al., 1992; Wang and Goldstein, 1995; KW Wang et al., 1996). The size and structure of this protein made it unlikely that minK alone forms functional channels (Attali et al., 1993; Lesage et al., 1993). Evidence was presented that KVLQT1 and minK coassemble to form the cardiac I_(Ks) potassium channel (Sanguinetti et al., 1996). I_(Ks) dysfunction is a cause of cardiac arrhythmia. It was later shown that mutations in KCNE1 (which encodes minK) also can result in LQT (Splawski et al., 1997b).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to one mutation in SCN5A which has been associated with drug-induced torsade de pointes and ventricular fibrillation.

In one aspect of the present invention, the association of a specific mutation in SCN5A with torsade de pointes and ventricular fibrillation is provided.

In a second aspect of the present invention, analysis of the SCN5A gene is provided for an early diagnosis of subjects susceptible to drug-induced torsade de pointes and ventricular fibrillation. The diagnostic method comprises analyzing the DNA sequence of SCN5A of an individual to be tested and comparing it with the DNA sequence of the native, non-variant gene. The ability to predict predisposition to drug-induced torsade de pointes and ventricular fibrillation will enable physicians to prevent these conditions in the susceptible patients by appropriate prescribing of medication.

The invention is further directed to methods of screening drug candidates which can be used to treat or prevent torsade de pointes or ventricular fibrillation in patients with an SCN5A mutation which predisposes persons to drug-induced torsade de pointes and ventricular fibrillation. Another aspect of the invention is a method of screening drugs to determine whether they may result in the development of torsade de pointes or ventricular fibrillation when administered to a person with a mutation in SCN5A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to determining whether a patient has a specific mutation in SCN5A which will predispose him to drug-induced torsade depointes and ventricular fibrillation. The present invention is further directed to methods of screening humans for the presence of this SCN5A gene variant which causes drug-induced torsade de pointes and ventricular fibrillation. Since this predisposition can now be detected earlier (i.e., before symptoms appear) and more definitively, better treatment options will be available for those individuals identified as having the mutation. The present invention is also directed to methods for screening for drugs useful in treating or preventing torsade de pointes and ventricular fibrillation.

The present invention provides methods of screening the SCN5A gene to identify the specific mutation. Such methods may further comprise the step of amplifying a portion of the SCN5A gene, and may further include a step of providing a set of polynucleotides which are primers for amplification of said portion of the SCN5A gene. The method is useful for identifying mutations for use in either diagnosis of or prognosis of predisposition to drug-induced torsade de pointes and ventricular fibrillation.

The present invention is further directed to a method for screening drug candidates to identify drugs useful for treating or preventing torsade depointes and ventricular fibrillation. Drug screening is performed by expressing mutant SCN5A in cells, such as oocytes, mammalian cells or transgenic animals, and assaying the effect of a drug candidate on the SCN5A sodium channel. The effect is compared to the wild-type SCN5A sodium channel activity.

The invention is further directed to methods of screening drugs to determine whether administration of a specific drug to a person with the mutant SCN5A will result in torsade de pointes or ventricular fibrillation in the person.

Finally, the invention is directed to methods of testing compounds to determine if they are capable of modulating the activity of a mutated SCN5A protein.

Alterations in the SCN5A gene can result in a change in many physical characteristics of the Na⁺ channel. These include, but are not limited to, ion specificity, length of inactivation, amplitude of current, voltage dependence of activation or inactivation, kinetics, and voltage threshold for activation. The prior art teaches a variety of physical properties whose activities are changed as a result of the presence of altered SCN5A. Publications which discuss some of these changes include Veldkamp et al. (2000), Kambouris et al. (2000), Deschenes et al. (2000), Rook et al. (1999), Antzelevitch et al. (1999), Couderc et al. (1999) and Wang et al. (1996). These altered physical characteristics can be modulated, i.e., they can be either increased or decreased by a measurable amount, by treatment with certain drugs. It is a desire to screen for drugs which will modulate the mutated SCN5A channels. In most cases it would be desirable to modulate the mutated SCN5A channels so that they will behave more like wild-type SCN5A channels and will result in beneficial effects for persons whose genome contains mutated SCN5A and who are being treated with these drugs. In the case of mutated SCN5A channels that have no detectable difference in activity when compared to wild-type SCN5A channels in the absence of certain drugs but exhibit altered functional characteristics compared to wild-type SCN5A channels in the presence of certain drugs, it would be desirable to use the mutated SCN5A channels to find drugs that would not modulate the activity of the mutated SCN5A channel when compared to the wild-type SCN5A channel.

According to the diagnostic and prognostic method of the present invention, alteration of the wild-type SCN5A gene is detected. In addition, the method can be performed by detecting the wild-type SCN5A gene and confirming the lack of a predisposition to drug-induced torsade de pointes and ventricular fibrillation as a result of this locus.

Useful diagnostic techniques include, but are not limited to fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH), direct DNA sequencing, PFGE analysis, Southern blot analysis, single stranded conformation analysis (SSCA), RNase protection assay, allele-specific oligonucleotide (ASO), dot blot analysis and PCR-SSCP, as discussed in detail further below. Also useful is the recently developed technique of DNA microchip technology.

The presence of the SCN5A mutation which predisposes one to drug-induced torsade de pointes and ventricular fibrillation may be ascertained by testing any tissue of a human for the mutation of the SCN5A gene. For example, a person who has inherited the SCN5A mutation in the germline would be predisposed to drug-induced torsade depointes and ventricular fibrillation. This can be determined by testing DNA from any tissue of the person's body. Most simply, blood can be drawn and DNA extracted from the cells of the blood. In addition, prenatal diagnosis can be accomplished by testing fetal cells, placental cells or amniotic cells for the mutation of the SCN5A gene. Alteration of a wild-type SCN5A allele can be detected by any of the means discussed herein.

There are several methods that can be used to detect DNA sequence variation. Direct DNA sequencing, either manual sequencing or automated fluorescent sequencing can detect sequence variation. Another approach is the single-stranded conformation polymorphism assay (SSCP) (Orita et al., 1989). This method does not detect all sequence changes, especially if the DNA fragment size is greater than 200 bp, but can be optimized to detect most DNA sequence variation. The reduced detection sensitivity is a disadvantage, but the increased throughput possible with SSCP makes it an attractive, viable alternative to direct sequencing for mutation detection on a research basis. The fragments which have shifted mobility on SSCP gels are then sequenced to determine the exact nature of the DNA sequence variation. Other approaches based on the detection of mismatches between the two complementary DNA strands include clamped denaturing gel electrophoresis (CDGE) (Sheffield et al., 1991), heteroduplex analysis (HA) (White et al., 1992) and chemical mismatch cleavage (CMC) (Grompe et al., 1989). A review of currently available methods of detecting DNA sequence variation can be found in a recent review by Grompe (1993). Once a mutation is known, an allele specific detection approach such as allele specific oligonucleotide (ASO) hybridization can be utilized to rapidly screen large numbers of other samples for that same mutation. Such a technique can utilize probes which are labeled with gold nanoparticles to yield a visual color result (Elghanian et al., 1997). Other techniques for detecting mutations are known in the art and can be used. For example, single base extension methods, which are described in e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,846,710, 6,004,744, 5,888,819 and 5,856,092, can be used to determine the identity of a single base to determine whether that location is mutated.

Detection of point mutations may be accomplished by molecular cloning of the SCN5A alleles and sequencing the alleles using techniques well known in the art. Also, the gene or portions of the gene may be amplified, e.g., by PCR or other amplification technique, and the amplified gene or amplified portions of the gene may be sequenced.

There are six well known methods for a more complete, yet still indirect, test for confirming the presence of a susceptibility allele: 1) single stranded conformation analysis (SSCP) (Orita et al., 1989); 2) denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) (Wartell et al., 1990; Sheffield et al., 1989); 3) RNase protection assays (Finkelstein et al., 1990; Kinszler et al., 1991); 4) allele-specific oligonucleotides (ASOs) (Conner et al., 1983); 5) the use of proteins which recognize nucleotide mismatches, such as the E. coli mutS protein (Modrich, 1991); and 6) allele-specific PCR (Ruano and Kidd, 1989). For allele-specific PCR, primers are used which hybridize at their 3′ ends to the particular SCN5A mutation. If the particular mutation is not present, an amplification product is not observed. Amplification Refractory Mutation System (ARMS) can also be used, as disclosed in European Patent Application Publication No. 0332435 and in Newton et al., 1989. Insertions and deletions of genes can also be detected by cloning, sequencing and amplification. In addition, restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) probes for the gene or surrounding marker genes can be used to score alteration of an allele or an insertion in a polymorphic fragment. Such a method is particularly useful for screening relatives of an affected individual for the presence of the mutation found in that individual. Other techniques for detecting insertions and deletions as known in the art can be used.

In the first three methods (SSCP, DGGE and RNase protection assay), a new electrophoretic band appears. SSCP detects a band which migrates differentially because the sequence change causes a difference in single-strand, intramolecular base pairing. RNase protection involves cleavage of the mutant polynucleotide into two or more smaller fragments. DGGE detects differences in migration rates of mutant sequences compared to wild-type sequences, using a denaturing gradient gel. In an allele-specific oligonucleotide assay, an oligonucleotide is designed which detects a specific sequence, and the assay is performed by detecting the presence or absence of a hybridization signal. In the mutS assay, the protein binds only to sequences that contain a nucleotide mismatch in a heteroduplex between mutant and wild-type sequences.

Mismatches, according to the present invention, are hybridized nucleic acid duplexes in which the two strands are not 100% complementary. Lack of total homology may be due to deletions, insertions, inversions or substitutions. Mismatch detection can be used to detect point mutations in the gene or in its mRNA product. While these techniques are less sensitive than sequencing, they are simpler to perform on a large number of samples. An example of a mismatch cleavage technique is the RNase protection method. In the practice of the present invention, the method involves the use of a labeled riboprobe which is complementary to the human wild-type SCN5A gene coding sequence. The riboprobe and either mRNA or DNA isolated from the person are annealed (hybridized) together and subsequently digested with the enzyme RNase A which is able to detect some mismatches in a duplex RNA structure. If a mismatch is detected by RNase A, it cleaves at the site of the mismatch. Thus, when the annealed RNA preparation is separated on an electrophoretic gel matrix, if a mismatch has been detected and cleaved by RNase A, an RNA product will be seen which is smaller than the full length duplex RNA for the riboprobe and the mRNA or DNA. The riboprobe need not be the full length of the MRNA or gene but can be a segment of either.

In similar fashion, DNA probes can be used to detect mismatches, through enzymatic or chemical cleavage. See, e.g., Cotton et al., 1988; Shenk et al., 1975; Novack et al., 1986. Alternatively, mismatches can be detected by shifts in the electrophoretic mobility of mismatched duplexes relative to matched duplexes. See, e.g., Cariello, 1988. With either riboprobes or DNA probes, the cellular mRNA or DNA which might contain a mutation can be amplified using PCR (see below) before hybridization. Changes in DNA of the SCN5A gene can also be detected using Southern hybridization.

DNA sequences of the SCN5A gene which have been amplified by use of PCR may also be screened using allele-specific probes. These probes are nucleic acid oligomers, each of which contains a region of the gene sequence harboring a known mutation. For example, one oligomer may be about 30 nucleotides in length, corresponding to a portion of the gene sequence. By use of a battery of such allele-specific probes, PCR amplification products can be screened to identify the presence of a previously identified mutation in the gene. Hybridization of allele-specific probes with amplified SCN5A sequences can be performed, for example, on a nylon filter. Hybridization to a particular probe under high stringency hybridization conditions indicates the presence of the same mutation in the tissue as in the allele-specific probe.

The newly developed technique of nucleic acid analysis via microchip technology is also applicable to the present invention. In this technique, literally thousands of distinct oligonucleotide probes are built up in an array on a silicon chip. Nucleic acid to be analyzed is fluorescently labeled and hybridized to the probes on the chip. It is also possible to study nucleic acid-protein interactions using these nucleic acid microchips. Using this technique one can determine the presence of mutations or even sequence the nucleic acid being analyzed or one can measure expression levels of a gene of interest. The method is one of parallel processing of many, even thousands, of probes at once and can tremendously increase the rate of analysis. Several papers have been published which use this technique. Some of these are Hacia et al., 1996; Shoemaker et al., 1996; Chee et al., 1996; Lockhart et al., 1996; DeRisi et al., 1996; Lipshutz et al., 1995. This method has already been used to screen people for mutations in the breast cancer gene BRCA1 (Hacia et al., 1996). This new technology has been reviewed in a news article in Chemical and Engineering News (Borman, 1996) and been the subject of an editorial (Editorial, Nature Genetics, 1996). Also see Fodor (1997).

The most definitive test for mutations in a candidate locus is to directly compare genomic SCN5A sequences from patients with those from a control population. Alternatively, one could sequence messenger RNA after amplification, e.g., by PCR, thereby eliminating the necessity of determining the exon structure of the candidate gene.

Alteration of wild-type genes can also be detected by screening for alteration of wild-type SCN5A protein. For example, monoclonal antibodies immunoreactive with SCN5A can be used to screen a tissue. Lack of cognate antigen would indicate a mutation. Antibodies specific for products of mutant alleles could also be used to detect mutant gene product. Such immunological assays can be done in any convenient formats known in the art. These include Western blots, immunohistochemical assays and ELISA assays. Any means for detecting an altered SCN5A protein can be used to detect alteration of the wild-type SCN5A gene. Functional assays, such as protein binding determinations, can be used. In addition, assays can be used which detect SCN5A biochemical function.

A mutant SCN5A gene or gene product can also be detected in other human body samples, such as serum, stool, urine and sputum. The same techniques discussed above for detection of mutant genes or gene products in tissues can be applied to other body samples. By screening such body samples, a simple early diagnosis can be achieved for predisposition to drug-induced torsade de pointes and ventricular fibrillation.

The primer pairs of the present invention are useful for determination of the nucleotide sequence of a particular SCN5A allele using PCR. The pairs of single-stranded DNA primers for SCN5A can be annealed to sequences within or surrounding the SCN5A gene in order to prime amplifying DNA synthesis of the gene itself. Allele-specific primers can also be used. Such primers anneal only to the particular SCN5A mutant allele, and thus will only amplify a product in the presence of the mutant allele as a template.

It is known that individuals with the wild-type SCN5A gene are not predisposed to drug-induced torsade de pointes and ventricular fibrillation. However, it is here shown that a specific mutation which interferes with the function of the SCN5A gene product is involved in predisposition to drug-induced torsade depointes and ventricular fibrillation. Thus, the presence of an altered (or a mutant) SCN5A gene which produces a protein having a loss of function, or altered function, directly causes predisposition to torsade de pointes and ventricular fibrillation. In order to detect an SCN5A gene mutation, a biological sample is prepared and analyzed for a difference between the sequence of the allele being analyzed and the sequence of the wild-type allele. Mutant SCN5A alleles can be initially identified by any of the techniques described above. The mutant alleles are then sequenced to identify the specific mutation of the particular mutant allele. Alternatively, mutant alleles can be initially identified by identifying mutant (altered) proteins, using conventional techniques. The mutant alleles are then sequenced to identify the specific mutation for each allele. The mutations are then used for the diagnostic and prognostic methods of the present invention.

Definitions

The present invention employs the following definitions.

“Amplification of Polynucleotides” utilizes methods such as the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), ligation amplification (or ligase chain reaction, LCR) and amplification methods based on the use of Q-beta replicase. Also useful are strand displacement amplification (SDA), thermophilic SDA, and nucleic acid sequence based amplification (3SR or NASBA). These methods are well known and widely practiced in the art. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,683,195 and 4,683,202 and Innis et al., 1990 (for PCR); Wu and Wallace, 1989 (for LCR); U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,270,184 and 5,455,166 and Walker et al., 1992 (for SDA); Spargo et al., 1996 (for thermophilic SDA) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,409,818, Fahy et al., 1991 and Compton, 1991 for 3SR and NASBA. Reagents and hardware for conducting PCR are commercially available. Primers useful to amplify sequences from the SCN5A region are preferably complementary to, and hybridize specifically to sequences in the SCN5A region or in regions that flank a target region therein. SCN5A sequences generated by amplification may be sequenced directly. Alternatively, but less desirably, the amplified sequence(s) may be cloned prior to sequence analysis. A method for the direct cloning and sequence analysis of enzymatically amplified genomic segments has been described by Scharf et al., 1986.

“Analyte polynucleotide” and “analyte strand” refer to a single- or double-stranded polynucleotide which is suspected of containing a target sequence, and which may be present in a variety of types of samples, including biological samples.

“Antibodies.” The present invention also provides polyclonal and/or monoclonal antibodies and fragments thereof, and immunologic binding equivalents thereof, which are capable of specifically binding to the SCN5A polypeptide and fragments thereof or to polynucleotide sequences from the SCN5A region. The term “antibody” is used both to refer to a homogeneous molecular entity, or a mixture such as a serum product made up of a plurality of different molecular entities. Polypeptides may be prepared synthetically in a peptide synthesizer and coupled to a carrier molecule (e.g., keyhole limpet hemocyanin) and injected over several months into rabbits. Rabbit sera is tested for immunoreactivity to the SCN5A polypeptide or fragment. Monoclonal antibodies may be made by injecting mice with the protein polypeptides, fusion proteins or fragments thereof. Monoclonal antibodies will be screened by ELISA and tested for specific immunoreactivity with SCN5A polypeptide or fragments thereof. See, Harlow and Lane, 1988. These antibodies will be useful in assays as well as pharmaceuticals.

Once a sufficient quantity of desired polypeptide has been obtained, it may be used for various purposes. A typical use is the production of antibodies specific for binding. These antibodies may be either polyclonal or monoclonal, and may be produced by in vitro or in vivo techniques well known in the art. For production of polyclonal antibodies, an appropriate target immune system, typically mouse or rabbit, is selected. Substantially purified antigen is presented to the immune system in a fashion determined by methods appropriate for the animal and by other parameters well known to immunologists. Typical sites for injection are in footpads, intramuscularly, intraperitoneally, or intradermally. Of course, other species may be substituted for mouse or rabbit. Polyclonal antibodies are then purified using techniques known in the art, adjusted for the desired specificity.

An immunological response is usually assayed with an immunoassay. Normally, such immunoassays involve some purification of a source of antigen, for example, that produced by the same cells and in the same fashion as the antigen. A variety of immunoassay methods are well known in the art. See, e.g., Harlow and Lane, 1988, or Goding, 1986.

Monoclonal antibodies with affinities of 10⁻⁸ M⁻¹ or preferably 10⁻⁹ to M⁻¹⁰ M⁻¹ or stronger will typically be made by standard procedures as described, e.g., in Harlow and Lane, 1988 or Goding, 1986. Briefly, appropriate animals will be selected and the desired immunization protocol followed. After the appropriate period of time, the spleens of such animals are excised and individual spleen cells fused, typically, to immortalized myeloma cells under appropriate selection conditions. Thereafter, the cells are clonally separated and the supernatants of each clone tested for their production of an appropriate antibody specific for the desired region of the antigen.

Other suitable techniques involve in vitro exposure of lymphocytes to the antigenic polypeptides, or alternatively, to selection of libraries of antibodies in phage or similar vectors. See Huse et al., 1989. The polypeptides and antibodies of the present invention may be used with or without modification. Frequently, polypeptides and antibodies will be labeled by joining, either covalently or non-covalently, a substance which provides for a detectable signal. A wide variety of labels and conjugation techniques are known and are reported extensively in both the scientific and patent literature. Suitable labels include radionuclides, enzymes, substrates, cofactors, inhibitors, fluorescent agents, chemiluminescent agents, magnetic particles and the like. Patents teaching the use of such labels include U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,817,837; 3,850,752; 3,939,350; 3,996,345; 4,277,437; 4,275,149 and 4,366,241. Also, recombinant immunoglobulins may be produced (see U.S. Pat. No. 4,816,567).

“Binding partner” refers to a molecule capable of binding a ligand molecule with high specificity, as for example, an antigen and an antigen-specific antibody or an enzyme and its inhibitor. In general, the specific binding partners must bind with sufficient affinity to immobilize the analyte copy/complementary strand duplex (in the case of polynucleotide hybridization) under the isolation conditions. Specific binding partners are known in the art and include, for example, biotin and avidin or streptavidin, IgG and protein A, the numerous, known receptor-ligand couples, and complementary polynucleotide strands. In the case of complementary polynucleotide binding partners, the partners are normally at least about 15 bases in length, and may be at least 40 bases in length. It is well recognized by those of skill in the art that lengths shorter than 15 (e.g., 8 bases), between 15 and 40, and greater than 40 bases may also be used. The polynucleotides may be composed of DNA, RNA, or synthetic nucleotide analogs. Further binding partners can be identified using, e.g., the two-hybrid yeast screening assay as described herein.

A “biological sample” refers to a sample of tissue or fluid suspected of containing an analyte polynucleotide or polypeptide from an individual including, but not limited to, e.g., plasma, serum, spinal fluid, lymph fluid, the external sections of the skin, respiratory, intestinal, and genitourinary tracts, tears, saliva, blood cells, tumors, organs, tissue and samples of in vitro cell culture constituents.

“Encode”. A polynucleotide is said to “encode” a polypeptide if, in its native state or when manipulated by methods well known to those skilled in the art, it can be transcribed and/or translated to produce the mRNA for and/or the polypeptide or a fragment thereof. The anti-sense strand is the complement of such a nucleic acid, and the encoding sequence can be deduced therefrom.

“Isolated” or “substantially pure”. An “isolated” or “substantially pure” nucleic acid (e.g., an RNA, DNA or a mixed polymer) is one which is substantially separated from other cellular components which naturally accompany a native human sequence or protein, e.g., ribosomes, polymerases, many other human genome sequences and proteins. The term embraces a nucleic acid sequence or protein which has been removed from its naturally occurring environment, and includes recombinant or cloned DNA isolates and chemically synthesized analogs or analogs biologically synthesized by heterologous systems.

“SCN5A Allele” refers, respectively, to normal alleles of the SCN5A locus as well as alleles of SCN5A carrying variations that cause predisposition to drug-induced torsade de pointes and ventricular fibrillation.

“SCN5A Locus”, “SCN5A Gene”, “SCN5A Nucleic Acids” or “SCN5A Polynucleotide” each refer to polynucleotides, all of which are in the SCN5A region, respectively, that are likely to be expressed in normal tissue, certain alleles of which result in drug-induced predisposition to torsade de pointes and ventricular fibrillation. The SCN5A locus is intended to include coding sequences, intervening sequences and regulatory elements controlling transcription and/or translation. The SCN5A locus is intended to include all allelic variations of the DNA sequence.

These terms, when applied to a nucleic acid, refer to a nucleic acid which encodes a human SCN5A polypeptide, fragment, homolog or variant, including, e.g., protein fusions or deletions. The nucleic acids of the present invention will possess a sequence which is either derived from, or substantially similar to a natural SCN5A-encoding gene or one having substantial homology with a natural SCN5A-encoding gene or a portion thereof.

The SCN5A gene or nucleic acid includes normal alleles of the SCN5A gene including silent alleles having no effect on the amino acid sequence of the SCN5A polypeptide as well as alleles leading to amino acid sequence variants of the SCN5A polypeptide that do not substantially affect its function. These terms also include alleles having one or more mutations which adversely affect the function of the SCN5A polypeptide. A mutation may be a change in the SCN5A nucleic acid sequence which produces a deleterious change in the amino acid sequence of the SCN5A polypeptide, resulting in partial or complete loss of SCN5A function or may be a change in the nucleic acid sequence which results in the loss of effective SCN5A expression or the production of aberrant forms of the SCN5A polypeptide.

The SCN5A nucleic acid may be that of SEQ ID NO:1 (wild-type) or it may be an allele as that of SEQ ID NO:3 (mutant) which includes the specific mutation which predisposes one to drug-induced torsade de pointes and ventricular fibrillation.

Nucleic acid according to the present invention may include a sequence different from the sequences shown as SEQ ID NOs:1 and 3 yet encode a polypeptide with the same amino acid sequence as shown as SEQ ID NOs:2 and 4. That is, nucleic acids of the present invention include sequences which are degenerate as a result of the genetic code.

The SCN5A gene also refers to (a) any DNA sequence that (i) hybridizes to the complement of the DNA sequences that encode the amino acid sequence set forth by SEQ ID NOs:1 and 3 under highly stringent conditions (Ausubel et al., 1992) and (ii) encodes a gene product functionally equivalent to that of SEQ ID NO:2 or SEQ ID NO:4, or (b) any DNA sequence that (i) hybridizes to the complement of the DNA sequences that encode one of the amino acid sequences set forth by SEQ ID NOs:2 and 4 under less stringent conditions, such as moderately stringent conditions (Ausubel et al., 1992) and (ii) encodes a gene product functionally equivalent to SCN5A as shown by SEQ ID NO:2 or 4. The invention also includes nucleic acid molecules that are the complements of the sequences described herein.

The polynucleotide compositions of this invention include RNA, cDNA, genomic DNA, synthetic forms, and mixed polymers, both sense and antisense strands, and may be chemically or biochemically modified or may contain non-natural or derivatized nucleotide bases, as will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art. Such modifications include, for example, labels, methylation, substitution of one or more of the naturally occurring nucleotides with an analog, internucleotide modifications such as uncharged linkages (e.g., methyl phosphonates, phosphotriesters, phosphoramidates, carbamates, etc.), charged linkages (e.g., phosphorothioates, phosphorodithioates, etc.), pendent moieties (e.g., polypeptides), intercalators (e.g., acridine, psoralen, etc.), chelators, alkylators, and modified linkages (e.g., alpha anomeric nucleic acids, etc.). Also included are synthetic molecules that mimic polynucleotides in their ability to bind to a designated sequence via hydrogen bonding and other chemical interactions. Such molecules are known in the art and include, for example, those in which peptide linkages substitute for phosphate linkages in the backbone of the molecule.

The present invention provides recombinant nucleic acids comprising all or part of the SCN5A region. The recombinant construct may be capable of replicating autonomously in a host cell. Alternatively, the recombinant construct may become integrated into the chromosomal DNA of the host cell. Such a recombinant polynucleotide comprises a polynucleotide of genomic, cDNA, semi-synthetic, or synthetic origin which, by virtue of its origin or manipulation, 1) is not associated with all or a portion of a polynucleotide with which it is associated in nature; 2) is linked to a polynucleotide other than that to which it is linked in nature; or 3) does not occur in nature. Where nucleic acid according to the invention includes RNA, reference to the sequence shown should be construed as reference to the RNA equivalent, with U substituted for T.

Therefore, recombinant nucleic acids comprising sequences otherwise not naturally occurring are provided by this invention. Although the wild-type sequence may be employed, it will often be altered, e.g., by deletion, substitution or insertion. cDNA or genomic libraries of various types may be screened as natural sources of the nucleic acids of the present invention, or such nucleic acids may be provided by amplification of sequences resident in genomic DNA or other natural sources, e.g., by PCR. The choice of cDNA libraries normally corresponds to a tissue source which is abundant in mRNA for the desired proteins. Phage libraries are normally preferred, but other types of libraries may be used. Clones of a library are spread onto plates, transferred to a substrate for screening, denatured and probed for the presence of desired sequences.

The DNA sequences used in this invention will usually comprise at least about five codons (15 nucleotides), more usually at least about 7–15 codons, and most preferably, at least about 35 codons. One or more introns may also be present. This number of nucleotides is usually about the minimal length required for a successful probe that would hybridize specifically with an SCN5A-encoding sequence. In this context, oligomers of as low as 8 nucleotides, more generally 8–17 nucleotides, can be used for probes, especially in connection with chip technology.

Techniques for nucleic acid manipulation are described generally, for example, in Sambrook et al., 1989 or Ausubel et al., 1992. Reagents useful in applying such techniques, such as restriction enzymes and the like, are widely known in the art and commercially available from such vendors as New England BioLabs, Boehringer Mannheim, Amersham, Promega, U.S. Biochemicals, New England Nuclear, and a number of other sources. The recombinant nucleic acid sequences used to produce fusion proteins of the present invention may be derived from natural or synthetic sequences. Many natural gene sequences are obtainable from various cDNA or from genomic libraries using appropriate probes. See, GenBank, National Institutes of Health.

As used herein, a “portion” of the SCN5A locus or region or allele is defined as having a minimal size of at least about eight nucleotides, or preferably about 15 nucleotides, or more preferably at least about 25 nucleotides, and may have a minimal size of at least about 40 nucleotides. This definition includes all sizes in the range of 8–40 nucleotides as well as greater than 40 nucleotides. Thus, this definition includes nucleic acids of 8, 12, 15, 20, 25, 40, 60, 80, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 nucleotides, or nucleic acids having any number of nucleotides within these ranges of values (e.g., 9, 10, 11, 16, 23, 30, 38, 50, 72, 121, etc., nucleotides), or nucleic acids having more than 500 nucleotides. The present invention includes all novel nucleic acids having at least 8 nucleotides derived from SEQ ID NO:1 or 3, its complement or functionally equivalent nucleic acid sequences. The present invention does not include nucleic acids which exist in the prior art. That is, the present invention includes all nucleic acids having at least 8 nucleotides derived from SEQ ID NO:1 or 3 with the proviso that it does not include nucleic acids existing in the prior art.

“SCN5A protein” or “SCN5A polypeptide” refers to a protein or polypeptide encoded by the SCN5A locus, variants or fragments thereof. The term “polypeptide” refers to a polymer of amino acids and its equivalent and does not refer to a specific length of the product; thus, peptides, oligopeptides and proteins are included within the definition of a polypeptide. This term also does not refer to, or exclude modifications of the polypeptide, for example, glycosylations, acetylations, phosphorylations, and the like. Included within the definition are, for example, polypeptides containing one or more analogs of an amino acid (including, for example, unnatural amino acids, etc.), polypeptides with substituted linkages as well as other modifications known in the art, both naturally and non-naturally occurring. Ordinarily, such polypeptides will be at least about 50% homologous to the native SCN5A sequence, preferably in excess of about 90%, and more preferably at least about 95% homologous. Also included are proteins encoded by DNA which hybridize under high or low stringency conditions, to SCN5A-encoding nucleic acids and closely related polypeptides or proteins retrieved by antisera to the SCN5A protein.

The SCN5A polypeptide may be that shown by SEQ ID NO:2 or 4 which may be in isolated and/or purified form, free or substantially free of material with which it is naturally associated. The polypeptide may, if produced by expression in a prokaryotic cell or produced synthetically, lack native post-translational processing, such as glycosylation. Alternatively, the present invention is also directed to polypeptides which are sequence variants, alleles or derivatives of the SCN5A polypeptide. Such polypeptides may have an amino acid sequence which differs from that set forth in SEQ ID NO:2 or 4 by one or more of addition, substitution, deletion or insertion of one or more amino acids. Preferred such polypeptides have SCN5A function.

Substitutional variants typically contain the exchange of one amino acid for another at one or more sites within the protein, and may be designed to modulate one or more properties of the polypeptide, such as stability against proteolytic cleavage, without the loss of other functions or properties. Amino acid substitutions may be made on the basis of similarity in polarity, charge, solubility, hydrophobicity, hydrophilicity, and/or the amphipathic nature of the residues involved. Preferred substitutions are ones which are conservative, that is, one amino acid is replaced with one of similar shape and charge. Conservative substitutions are well known in the art and typically include substitutions within the following groups: glycine, alanine; valine, isoleucine, leucine; aspartic acid, glutamic acid; asparagine, glutamine; serine, threonine; lysine, arginine; and tyrosine, phenylalanine.

Certain amino acids may be substituted for other amino acids in a protein structure without appreciable loss of interactive binding capacity with structures such as, for example, antigen-binding regions of antibodies or binding sites on substrate molecules or binding sites on proteins interacting with the SCN5A polypeptide. Since it is the interactive capacity and nature of a protein which defines that protein's biological functional activity, certain amino acid substitutions can be made in a protein sequence, and its underlying DNA coding sequence, and nevertheless obtain a protein with like properties. In making such changes, the hydropathic index of amino acids may be considered. The importance of the hydrophobic amino acid index in conferring interactive biological function on a protein is generally understood in the art (Kyte and Doolittle, 1982). Alternatively, the substitution of like amino acids can be made effectively on the basis of hydrophilicity. The importance of hydrophilicity in conferring interactive biological function of a protein is generally understood in the art (U.S. Pat. No. 4,554,101). The use ofthe hydrophobic index or hydrophilicity in designing polypeptides is further discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,691,198.

The length of polypeptide sequences compared for homology will generally be at least about 16 amino acids, usually at least about 20 residues, more usually at least about 24 residues, typically at least about 28 residues, and preferably more than about 35 residues.

“Operably linked” refers to a juxtaposition wherein the components so described are in a relationship permitting them to function in their intended manner. For instance, a promoter is operably linked to a coding sequence if the promoter affects its transcription or expression.

The term peptide mimetic or mimetic is intended to refer to a substance which has the essential biological activity of the SCN5A polypeptide. A peptide mimetic may be a peptide-containing molecule that mimics elements of protein secondary structure (Johnson et al., 1993). The underlying rationale behind the use of peptide mimetics is that the peptide backbone of proteins exists chiefly to orient amino acid side chains in such a way as to facilitate molecular interactions, such as those of antibody and antigen, enzyme and substrate or scaffolding proteins. A peptide mimetic is designed to permit molecular interactions similar to the natural molecule. A mimetic may not be a peptide at all, but it will retain the essential biological activity of natural SCN5A polypeptide.

“Probes”. Polynucleotide polymorphisms associated with SCN5A alleles which predispose to torsade de pointes and ventricular fibrillation are detected by hybridization with a polynucleotide probe which forms a stable hybrid with that of the target sequence, under stringent to moderately stringent hybridization and wash conditions. If it is expected that the probes will be perfectly complementary to the target sequence, high stringency conditions will be used. Hybridization stringency may be lessened if some mismatching is expected, for example, if variants are expected with the result that the probe will not be completely complementary. Conditions are chosen which rule out nonspecific/adventitious bindings, that is, which minimize noise. (It should be noted that throughout this disclosure, if it is simply stated that “stringent” conditions are used that it is meant to be read as “high stringency” conditions are used.) Since such indications identify neutral DNA polymorphisms as well as mutations, these indications need further analysis to demonstrate detection of an SCN5A susceptibility allele.

Probes for SCN5A alleles may be derived from the sequences of the SCN5A region, its cDNA, functionally equivalent sequences, or the complements thereof. The probes may be of any suitable length, which span all or a portion of the SCN5A region, and which allow specific hybridization to the region. If the target sequence contains a sequence identical to that of the probe, the probes may be short, e.g., in the range of about 8–30 base pairs, since the hybrid will be relatively stable under even stringent conditions. If some degree of mismatch is expected with the probe, i.e., if it is suspected that the probe will hybridize to a variant region, a longer probe may be employed which hybridizes to the target sequence with the requisite specificity.

The probes will include an isolated polynucleotide attached to a label or reporter molecule and may be used to isolate other polynucleotide sequences, having sequence similarity by standard methods. For techniques for preparing and labeling probes see, e.g., Sambrook et al., 1989 or Ausubel et al., 1992. Other similar polynucleotides may be selected by using homologous polynucleotides. Alternatively, polynucleotides encoding these or similar polypeptides may be synthesized or selected by use of the redundancy in the genetic code. Various codon substitutions may be introduced, e.g., by silent changes (thereby producing various restriction sites) or to optimize expression for a particular system. Mutations may be introduced to modify the properties of the polypeptide, perhaps to change the polypeptide degradation or turnover rate.

Probes comprising synthetic oligonucleotides or other polynucleotides of the present invention may be derived from naturally occurring or recombinant single- or double-stranded polynucleotides, or be chemically synthesized. Probes may also be labeled by nick translation, Klenow fill-in reaction, or other methods known in the art.

Portions of the polynucleotide sequence having at least about eight nucleotides, usually at least about 15 nucleotides, and fewer than about 9 kb, usually fewer than about 1.0 kb, from a polynucleotide sequence encoding SCN5A are preferred as probes. This definition therefore includes probes of sizes 8 nucleotides through 9000 nucleotides. Thus, this definition includes probes of 8, 12, 15, 20, 25, 40, 60, 80, 100, 200, 300, 400 or 500 nucleotides or probes having any number of nucleotides within these ranges of values (e.g., 9, 10, 11, 16, 23, 30, 38, 50, 72, 121, etc., nucleotides), or probes having more than 500 nucleotides. The probes may also be used to determine whether MRNA encoding SCN5A is present in a cell or tissue. The present invention does not include probes which exist in the prior art. That is, the present invention includes all probes having at least 8 nucleotides derived from SEQ ID NO:1 or 3, with the proviso that they do not include probes existing in the prior art.

Similar considerations and nucleotide lengths are also applicable to primers which may be used for the amplification of all or part of the SCN5A gene. Thus, a definition for primers includes primers of 8, 12, 15, 20, 25, 40, 60, 80, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 nucleotides, or primers having any number of nucleotides within these ranges of values (e.g., 9, 10, 11, 16, 23, 30, 38, 50, 72, 121, etc. nucleotides), or primers having more than 500 nucleotides, or any number of nucleotides between 500 and 9000. The primers may also be used to determine whether MRNA encoding SCN5A is present in a cell or tissue. The present invention includes all novel primers having at least 8 nucleotides derived from the SCN5A locus for amplifying the SCN5A gene, its complement or functionally equivalent nucleic acid sequences. The present invention does not include primers which exist in the prior art. That is, the present invention includes all primers having at least 8 nucleotides with the proviso that it does not include primers existing in the prior art.

“Protein modifications or fragments” are provided by the present invention for SCN5A polypeptides or fragments thereof which are substantially homologous to primary structural sequence but which include, e.g., in vivo or in vitro chemical and biochemical modifications or which incorporate unusual amino acids. Such modifications include, for example, acetylation, carboxylation, phosphorylation, glycosylation, ubiquitination, labeling, e.g., with radionuclides, and various enzymatic modifications, as will be readily appreciated by those well skilled in the art. A variety of methods for labeling polypeptides and of substituents or labels useful for such purposes are well known in the art, and include radioactive isotopes such as ³²P, ligands which bind to labeled antiligands (e.g., antibodies), fluorophores, chemiluminescent agents, enzymes, and antiligands which can serve as specific binding pair members for a labeled ligand. The choice of label depends on the sensitivity required, ease of conjugation with the primer, stability requirements, and available instrumentation. Methods of labeling polypeptides are well known in the art. See Sambrook et al., 1989 or Ausubel et al., 1992.

Besides substantially full-length polypeptides, the present invention provides for biologically active fragments of the polypeptides. Significant biological activities include ligand-binding, immunological activity and other biological activities characteristic of SCN5A polypeptides. Immunological activities include both immunogenic function in a target immune system, as well as sharing of immunological epitopes for binding, serving as either a competitor or substitute antigen for an epitope of the SCN5A protein. As used herein, “epitope” refers to an antigenic determinant of a polypeptide. An epitope could comprise three amino acids in a spatial conformation which is unique to the epitope. Generally, an epitope consists of at least five such amino acids, and more usually consists of at least 8–10 such amino acids. Methods of determining the spatial conformation of such amino acids are known in the art.

For immunological purposes, tandem-repeat polypeptide segments may be used as immunogens, thereby producing highly antigenic proteins. Alternatively, such polypeptides will serve as highly efficient competitors for specific binding. Production of antibodies specific for SCN5A polypeptides or fragments thereof is described below.

The present invention also provides for fusion polypeptides, comprising SCN5A polypeptides and fragments. Homologous polypeptides may be fusions between two or more SCN5A polypeptide sequences or between the sequences of SCN5A and a related protein. Likewise, heterologous fusions may be constructed which would exhibit a combination of properties or activities of the derivative proteins. For example, ligand-binding or other domains may be “swapped” between different new fusion polypeptides or fragments. Such homologous or heterologous fusion polypeptides may display, for example, altered strength or specificity of binding. Fusion partners include immunoglobulins, bacterial β-galactosidase, trpE, protein A, β-lactamase, alpha amylase, alcohol dehydrogenase and yeast alpha mating factor. See Godowski et al., 1988.

Fusion proteins will typically be made by either recombinant nucleic acid methods, as described below, or may be chemically synthesized. Techniques for the synthesis of polypeptides are described, for example, in Merrifield (1963).

“Protein purification” refers to various methods for the isolation of the SCN5A polypeptides from other biological material, such as from cells transformed with recombinant nucleic acids encoding SCN5A, and are well known in the art. For example, such polypeptides may be purified by immunoaffinity chromatography employing, e.g., the antibodies provided by the present invention. Various methods of protein purification are well known in the art, and include those described in Deutscher, 1990 and Scopes, 1982.

The terms “isolated”, “substantially pure”, and “substantially homogeneous” are used interchangeably to describe a protein or polypeptide which has been separated from components which accompany it in its natural state. A monomeric protein is substantially pure when at least about 60 to 75% of a sample exhibits a single polypeptide sequence. A substantially pure protein will typically comprise about 60 to 90% W/W of a protein sample, more usually about 95%, and preferably will be over about 99% pure. Protein purity or homogeneity may be indicated by a number of means well known in the art, such as polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of a protein sample, followed by visualizing a single polypeptide band upon staining the gel. For certain purposes, higher resolution may be provided by using HPLC or other means well known in the art which are utilized for purification.

An SCN5A protein is substantially free of naturally associated components when it is separated from the native contaminants which accompany it in its natural state. Thus, a polypeptide which is chemically synthesized or synthesized in a cellular system different from the cell from which it naturally originates will be substantially free from its naturally associated components. A protein may also be rendered substantially free of naturally associated components by isolation, using protein purification techniques well known in the art.

A polypeptide produced as an expression product of an isolated and manipulated genetic sequence is an “isolated polypeptide”, as used herein, even if expressed in a homologous cell type. Synthetically made forms or molecules expressed by heterologous cells are inherently isolated molecules.

“Recombinant nucleic acid” is a nucleic acid which is not naturally occurring, or which is made by the artificial combination of two otherwise separated segments of sequence. This artificial combination is often accomplished by either chemical synthesis means, or by the artificial manipulation of isolated segments of nucleic acids, e.g., by genetic engineering techniques. Such is usually done to replace a codon with a redundant codon encoding the same or a conservative amino acid, while typically introducing or removing a sequence recognition site. Alternatively, it is performed to join together nucleic acid segments of desired functions to generate a desired combination of functions.

“Regulatory sequences” refers to those sequences normally within 100 kb of the coding region of a locus, but they may also be more distant from the coding region, which affect the expression of the gene (including transcription of the gene, and translation, splicing, stability or the like of the messenger RNA).

“Substantial homology or similarity”. A nucleic acid or fragment thereof is “substantially homologous” (“or substantially similar”) to another if, when optimally aligned (with appropriate nucleotide insertions or deletions) with the other nucleic acid (or its complementary strand), there is nucleotide sequence identity in at least about 60% of the nucleotide bases, usually at least about 70%, more usually at least about 80%, preferably at least about 90%, and more preferably at least about 95-98% of the nucleotide bases.

To determine homology between two different nucleic acids, the percent homology is to be determined using the BLASTN program “BLAST 2 sequences”. This program is available for public use from the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) over the Internet (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gorf/bl2.html) (Altschul et al., 1997). The parameters to be used are whatever combination of the following yields the highest calculated percent homology (as calculated below) with the default parameters shown in parentheses:

Program—blastn

Matrix—0 BLOSUM62

Reward for a match—0 or 1 (1)

Penalty for a mismatch—0, −1, −2 or −3 (−2)

Open gap penalty—0, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 (5)

Extension gap penalty—0 or 1 (1)

Gap x_dropoff—0 or 50 (50)

Expect—10

Along with a variety of other results, this program shows a percent identity across the complete strands or across regions of the two nucleic acids being matched. The program shows as part of the results an alignment and identity of the two strands being compared. If the strands are of equal length then the identity will be calculated across the complete length of the nucleic acids. If the strands are of unequal lengths, then the length of the shorter nucleic acid is to be used. If the nucleic acids are quite similar across a portion of their sequences but different across the rest of their sequences, the blastn program “BLAST 2 Sequences” will show an identity across only the similar portions, and these portions are reported individually. For purposes of determining homology herein, the percent homology refers to the shorter of the two sequences being compared. If any one region is shown in different alignments with differing percent identities, the alignments which yield the greatest homology are to be used. The averaging is to be performed as in this example of SEQ ID NOs:5 and 6.

5′-ACCGTAGCTACGTACGTATATAGAAAGGGCGCGATCGTCGTCGCGTATGACGAC (SEQ ID NO:5) TTAGCATGC-3′ 5′-ACCGGTAGCTACGTACGTTATTTAGAAAGGGGTGTGTGTGTGTGTGTAAACCGGG (SEQ ID NO:6) GTTTTCGGGATCGTCCGTCGCGTATGACGACTTAGCCATGCACGGTATATCGTATTA GGACTAGCGATTGACTAG-3′

The program “BLAST 2 Sequences” shows differing alignments of these two nucleic acids depending upon the parameters which are selected. As examples, four sets of parameters were selected for comparing SEQ ID NOs:5 and 6 (gap x_dropoff was 50 for all cases), with the results shown in Table 1. It is to be noted that none of the sets of parameters selected as shown in Table 1 is necessarily the best set of parameters for comparing these sequences. The percent homology is calculated by multiplying for each region showing identity the fraction of bases of the shorter strand within a region times the percent identity for that region and adding all of these together. For example, using the first set of parameters shown in Table 1, SEQ ID NO:5 is the short sequence (63 bases), and two regions of identity are shown, the first encompassing bases 4–29 (26 bases) of SEQ ID NO:5 with 92% identity to SEQ ID NO:6 and the second encompassing bases 39–59 (21 bases) of SEQ ID NO:5 with 100% identity to SEQ ID NO:6. Bases 1–3, 30–38 and 60–63 (16 bases) are not shown as having any identity with SEQ ID NO:6. Percent homology is calculated as: (26/63)(92)+(21/63)(100)+(16/63)(0)=71.3% homology. The percents of homology calculate using each of the four sets of parameters shown are listed in Table 1. Several other combinations of parameters are possible, but they are not listed for the sake of brevity. It is seen that each set of parameters resulted in a different calculated percent homology. Because the result yielding the highest percent homology is to be used, based solely on these four sets of parameters one would state that SEQ ID NOs:5 and 6 have 87.1% homology. Again it is to be noted that use of other parameters may show an even higher homology for SEQ ID NOs:5 and 6, but for brevity not all the possible results are shown.

TABLE 1 Parameter Values Exten- Mis- Open sion Homo- Match match Gap Gap Regions of identity (%) logy 1 −2 5 1 4–29 39–59 of 5 and 71.3 of 5 and 71–91 of 6 5–31 (100%) of 6 (92%) 1 −2 2 1 4–29 33–63 of 5 and 83.7 of 5 and 64–96 of 6 5–31 (93%) of 6 (92%) 1 −1 5 1 — 30–59 of 5 and 44.3 61–91 of 6 (93%) 1 −1 2 1 4–29 30–63 of 5 and 87.1 of 5 and 61–96 of 6 5–31 (91%) of 6 (92%)

Alternatively, substantial homology or (similarity) exists when a nucleic acid or fragment thereof will hybridize to another nucleic acid (or a complementary strand thereof) under selective hybridization conditions, to a strand, or to its complement. Selectivity of hybridization exists when hybridization which is substantially more selective than total lack of specificity occurs. Typically, selective hybridization will occur when there is at least about 55% homology over a stretch of at least about 14 nucleotides, preferably at least about 65%, more preferably at least about 75%, and most preferably at least about 90%. See, Kanehisa, 1984. The length of homology comparison, as described, may be over longer stretches, and in certain embodiments will often be over a stretch of at least about nine nucleotides, usually at least about 20 nucleotides, more usually at least about 24 nucleotides, typically at least about 28 nucleotides, more typically at least about 32 nucleotides, and preferably at least about 36 or more nucleotides.

Nucleic acid hybridization will be affected by such conditions as salt concentration, temperature, or organic solvents, in addition to the base composition, length of the complementary strands, and the number of nucleotide base mismatches between the hybridizing nucleic acids, as will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art. Stringent temperature conditions will generally include temperatures in excess of 30° C., typically in excess of 37° C., and preferably in excess of 45° C. Stringent salt conditions will ordinarily be less than 1000 mM, typically less than 500 mM, and preferably less than 200 mM. However, the combination of parameters is much more important than the measure of any single parameter. The stringency conditions are dependent on the length of the nucleic acid and the base composition of the nucleic acid and can be determined by techniques well known in the art. See, e.g., Wetmur and Davidson, 1968.

Probe sequences may also hybridize specifically to duplex DNA under certain conditions to form triplex or other higher order DNA complexes. The preparation of such probes and suitable hybridization conditions are well known in the art.

The terms “substantial homology” or “substantial identity”, when referring to polypeptides, indicate that the polypeptide or protein in question exhibits at least about 30% identity with an entire naturally-occurring protein or a portion thereof, usually at least about 70% identity, more usually at least about 80% identity, preferably at least about 90% identity, and more preferably at least about 95% identity.

Homology, for polypeptides, is typically measured using sequence analysis software. See, e.g., the Sequence Analysis Software Package of the Genetics Computer Group, University of Wisconsin Biotechnology Center, 910 University Avenue, Madison, Wis. 53705. Protein analysis software matches similar sequences using measures of homology assigned to various substitutions, deletions and other modifications. Conservative substitutions typically include substitutions within the following groups: glycine, alanine; valine, isoleucine, leucine; aspartic acid, glutamic acid; asparagine, glutamine; serine, threonine; lysine, arginine; and phenylalanine, tyrosine.

“Substantially similar function” refers to the function of a modified nucleic acid or a modified protein, with reference to the wild-type SCN5A nucleic acid or wild-type SCN5A polypeptide. The modified polypeptide will be substantially homologous to the wild-type SCN5A polypeptide and will have substantially the same function. The modified polypeptide may have an altered amino acid sequence and/or may contain modified amino acids. In addition to the similarity of function, the modified polypeptide may have other useful properties, such as a longer half-life. The similarity of function (activity) of the modified polypeptide may be substantially the same as the activity of the wild-type SCN5A polypeptide. Alternatively, the similarity of function (activity) of the modified polypeptide may be higher than the activity of the wild-type SCN5A polypeptide. The modified polypeptide is synthesized using conventional techniques, or is encoded by a modified nucleic acid and produced using conventional techniques. The modified nucleic acid is prepared by conventional techniques. A nucleic acid with a function substantially similar to the wild-type SCN5A gene function produces the modified protein described above.

A polypeptide “fragment”, “portion” or “segment” is a stretch of amino acid residues of at least about five to seven contiguous amino acids, often at least about seven to nine contiguous amino acids, typically at least about nine to 13 contiguous amino acids and, most preferably, at least about 20 to 30 or more contiguous amino acids.

The polypeptides of the present invention, if soluble, may be coupled to a solid-phase support, e.g., nitrocellulose, nylon, column packing materials (e.g., Sepharose beads), magnetic beads, glass wool, plastic, metal, polymer gels, cells, or other substrates. Such supports may take the form, for example, of beads, wells, dipsticks, or membranes.

“Target region” refers to a region of the nucleic acid which is amplified and/or detected. The term “target sequence” refers to a sequence with which a probe or primer will form a stable hybrid under desired conditions.

The practice of the present invention employs, unless otherwise indicated, conventional techniques of chemistry, molecular biology, microbiology, recombinant DNA, genetics, and immunology. See, e.g., Maniatis et al., 1982; Sambrook et al., 1989; Ausubel et al., 1992; Glover, 1985; Anand, 1992; Guthrie and Fink, 1991. A general discussion of techniques and materials for human gene mapping, including mapping of human chromosome 1, is provided, e.g., in White and Lalouel, 1988.

1. Preparation of Recombinant or Chemically Synthesized Nucleic Acids; Vectors, Transformation, Host Cells

Large amounts of the polynucleotides of the present invention may be produced by replication in a suitable host cell. Natural or synthetic polynucleotide fragments coding for a desired fragment will be incorporated into recombinant polynucleotide constructs, usually DNA constructs, capable of introduction into and replication in a prokaryotic or eukaryotic cell. Usually the polynucleotide constructs will be suitable for replication in a unicellular host, such as yeast or bacteria, but may also be intended for introduction to (with and without integration within the genome) cultured mammalian or plant or other eukaryotic cell lines. The purification of nucleic acids produced by the methods of the present invention are described, e.g., in Sambrook et al., 1989 or Ausubel et al., 1992.

The polynucleotides of the present invention may also be produced by chemical synthesis, e.g., by the phosphoramidite method described by Beaucage and Caruthers (1981) or the triester method according to Matteucci and Caruthers (1981) and may be performed on commercial, automated oligonucleotide synthesizers. A double-stranded fragment may be obtained from the single-stranded product of chemical synthesis either by synthesizing the complementary strand and annealing the strand together under appropriate conditions or by adding the complementary strand using DNA polymerase with an appropriate primer sequence.

Polynucleotide constructs prepared for introduction into a prokaryotic or eukaryotic host may comprise a replication system recognized by the host, including the intended polynucleotide fragment encoding the desired polypeptide, and will preferably also include transcription and translational initiation regulatory sequences operably linked to the polypeptide encoding segment. Expression vectors may include, for example, an origin of replication or autonomously replicating sequence (ARS) and expression control sequences, a promoter, an enhancer and necessary processing information sites, such as ribosome-binding sites, RNA splice sites, polyadenylation sites, transcriptional terminator sequences, and mRNA stabilizing sequences. Such vectors may be prepared by means of standard recombinant techniques well known in the art and discussed, for example, in Sambrook et al., 1989 or Ausubel et al., 1992.

An appropriate promoter and other necessary vector sequences will be selected so as to be functional in the host, and may include, when appropriate, those naturally associated with the SCN5A gene. Examples of workable combinations of cell lines and expression vectors are described in Sambrook et al., 1989 or Ausubel et al., 1992; see also, e.g., Metzger et al., 1988. Many useful vectors are known in the art and may be obtained from such vendors as Stratagene, New England Biolabs, Promega Biotech, and others. Promoters such as the trp, lac and phage promoters, tRNA promoters and glycolytic enzyme promoters may be used in prokaryotic hosts. Useful yeast promoters include promoter regions for metallothionein, 3-phosphoglycerate kinase or other glycolytic enzymes such as enolase or glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, enzymes responsible for maltose and galactose utilization, and others. Vectors and promoters suitable for use in yeast expression are further described in Hitzeman et al., EP 73,675A. Appropriate non-native mammalian promoters might include the early and late promoters from SV40 (Fiers et al., 1978) or promoters derived from murine Molony leukemia virus, mouse tumor virus, avian sarcoma viruses, adenovirus II, bovine papilloma virus or polyoma. Insect promoters may be derived from baculovirus. In addition, the construct may be joined to an amplifiable gene (e.g., DHFR) so that multiple copies of the gene may be made. For appropriate enhancer and other expression control sequences, see also Enhancers and Eukaryotic Gene Expression, Cold Spring Harbor Press, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y. (1983). See also, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,691,198; 5,735,500; 5,747,469 and 5,436,146.

While such expression vectors may replicate autonomously, they may also replicate by being inserted into the genome of the host cell, by methods well known in the art.

Expression and cloning vectors will likely contain a selectable marker, a gene encoding a protein necessary for survival or growth of a host cell transformed with the vector. The presence of this gene ensures growth of only those host cells which express the inserts. Typical selection genes encode proteins that a) confer resistance to antibiotics or other toxic substances, e.g. ampicillin, neomycin, methotrexate, etc., b) complement auxotrophic deficiencies, or c) supply critical nutrients not available from complex media, e.g., the gene encoding D-alanine racemase for Bacilli. The choice of the proper selectable marker will depend on the host cell, and appropriate markers for different hosts are well known in the art.

The vectors containing the nucleic acids of interest can be transcribed in vitro, and the resulting RNA introduced into the host cell by well-known methods, e.g., by injection (see, Kubo et al., 1988), or the vectors can be introduced directly into host cells by methods well known in the art, which vary depending on the type of cellular host, including electroporation; transfection employing calcium chloride, rubidium chloride calcium phosphate, DEAE-dextran, or other substances; microprojectile bombardment; lipofection; infection (where the vector is an infectious agent, such as a retroviral genome); and other methods. See generally, Sambrook et al., 1989 and Ausubel et al., 1992. The introduction of the polynucleotides into the host cell by any method known in the art, including, inter alia, those described above, will be referred to herein as “transformation.” The cells into which have been introduced nucleic acids described above are meant to also include the progeny of such cells.

Large quantities of the nucleic acids and polypeptides of the present invention may be prepared by expressing the SCN5A nucleic acid or portions thereof in vectors or other expression vehicles in compatible prokaryotic or eukaryotic host cells. The most commonly used prokaryotic hosts are strains of Escherichia coli, although other prokaryotes, such as Bacillus subtilis or Pseudomonas may also be used.

Mammalian or other eukaryotic host cells, such as those of yeast, filamentous fungi, plant, insect, or amphibian or avian species, may also be useful for production of the proteins of the present invention. Propagation of mammalian cells in culture is per se well known. See, Jakoby and Pastan (eds.) (1979). Examples of commonly used mammalian host cell lines are VERO and HeLa cells, Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, and WI38, BHK, and COS cell lines, although it will be appreciated by the skilled practitioner that other cell lines may be appropriate, e.g., to provide higher expression, desirable glycosylation patterns, or other features. An example of a commonly used insect cell line is SF9.

Clones are selected by using markers depending on the mode of the vector construction. The marker may be on the same or a different DNA molecule, preferably the same DNA molecule. In prokaryotic hosts, the transformant may be selected, e.g., by resistance to ampicillin, tetracycline or other antibiotics. Production of a particular product based on temperature sensitivity may also serve as an appropriate marker.

Prokaryotic or eukaryotic cells transformed with the polynucleotides of the present invention will be useful not only for the production of the nucleic acids and polypeptides of the present invention, but also, for example, in studying the characteristics of SCN5A polypeptides.

The probes and primers based on the SCN5A gene sequences disclosed herein are used to identify homologous SCN5A gene sequences and proteins in other species. These gene sequences and proteins are used in the diagnostic/prognostic, therapeutic and drug screening methods described herein for the species from which they have been isolated.

2. Methods of Use: Drug Screening

The invention is particularly useful for screening compounds by using SCN5A proteins in transformed cells, transfected oocytes or transgenic animals. Since mutations in the SCN5A protein can alter the functioning of the cardiac sodium channel, candidate drugs are screened for effects on the channel using cells containing either a normal SCN5A protein or a mutant SCN5A protein. The drug is added to the cells in culture or administered to a transgenic animal and the effect on the induced current of the wild-type sodium channel is compared to the induced current of a cell or animal containing the mutant sodium channel. Drug candidates which alter the induced current to a more normal level are useful for treating or preventing drug-induced torsade de pointes and ventricular fibrillation. The same type of experiments are performed to screen drugs, not for their ability to treat or prevent drug-induced torsade depointes and ventricular fibrillation, but rather to determine whether a drug is one which may induce torsade de pointes and ventricular fibrillation. If addition of a drug to cells or an animal expressing a mutant SCN5A results in an induced Na⁺ current different from that in the absence of the drug, the drug is one which may induce torsade de pointes and ventricular fibrillation in persons with the mutation. Similar studies may be performed on cells or animals expressing wild-type SCN5A to determine whether the test drug has a similar effect on the induced Na⁺ current in wild-type cells or animals. If a similar effect is seen then persons with the mutant SCN5A are at no greater risk than are persons with wild-type SCN5A, but if the induced current in drug-treated mutant cells or animals differs by a greater amount than that in drug-treated wild-type cells or animals from the non-drug-treated cells or animals, then persons with the mutation are at greater risk of having the drug induce torsade de pointes and ventricular fibrillation.

This invention is particularly useful for screening compounds by using the SCN5A polypeptide or binding fragment thereof in any of a variety of drug screening techniques.

The SCN5A polypeptide or fragment employed in such a test may either be free in solution, affixed to a solid support, or borne on a cell surface. One method of drug screening utilizes eucaryotic or procaryotic host cells which are stably transformed with recombinant polynucleotides expressing the polypeptide or fragment, preferably in competitive binding assays. Such cells, either in viable or fixed form, can be used for standard binding assays. One may measure, for example, for the formation of complexes between an SCN5A polypeptide or fragment and the agent being tested, or examine the degree to which the formation of a complex between an SCN5A polypeptide or fragment and a known ligand is interfered with by the agent being tested.

Thus, the present invention provides methods of screening for drugs comprising contacting such an agent with an SCN5A polypeptide or fragment thereof and assaying (i) for the presence of a complex between the agent and the SCN5A polypeptide or fragment, or (ii) for the presence of a complex between the SCN5A polypeptide or fragment and a ligand, by methods well known in the art. In such competitive binding assays the SCN5A polypeptide or fragment is typically labeled. Free SCN5A polypeptide or fragment is separated from that present in a protein:protein complex, and the amount of free (i.e., uncomplexed) label is a measure of the binding of the agent being tested to SCN5A or its interference with SCN5A:ligand binding, respectively. One may also measure the amount of bound, rather than free, SCN5A. It is also possible to label the ligand rather than the SCN5A and to measure the amount of ligand binding to SCN5A in the presence and in the absence of the drug being tested.

Another technique for drug screening provides high throughput screening for compounds having suitable binding affinity to the SCN5A polypeptides and is described in detail in Geysen (published PCT application WO 84/03564). Briefly stated, large numbers of different small peptide test compounds are synthesized on a solid substrate, such as plastic pins or some other surface. The peptide test compounds are reacted with SCN5A polypeptide and washed. Bound SCN5A polypeptide is then detected by methods well known in the art.

Purified SCN5A can be coated directly onto plates for use in the aforementioned drug screening techniques. However, non-neutralizing antibodies to the polypeptide can be used to capture antibodies to immobilize the SCN5A polypeptide on the solid phase.

This invention also contemplates the use of competitive drug screening assays in which neutralizing antibodies capable of specifically binding the SCN5A polypeptide compete with a test compound for binding to the SCN5A polypeptide or fragments thereof. In this manner, the antibodies can be used to detect the presence of any peptide which shares one or more antigenic determinants of the SCN5A polypeptide.

The polypeptide of the invention may also be used for screening compounds developed as a result of combinatorial library technology. Combinatorial library technology provides an efficient way of testing a potential vast number of different substances for ability to modulate activity of a polypeptide. Such libraries and their use are known in the art. The use of peptide libraries is preferred. See, for example, WO 97/02048.

Briefly, a method of screening for a substance which modulates activity of a polypeptide may include contacting one or more test substances with the polypeptide in a suitable reaction medium, testing the activity of the treated polypeptide and comparing that activity with the activity of the polypeptide in comparable reaction medium untreated with the test substance or substances. A difference in activity between the treated and untreated polypeptides is indicative of a modulating effect of the relevant test substance or substances.

Prior to, or as well as being screened for modulation of activity, test substances may be screened for ability to interact with the polypeptide, e.g., in a yeast two-hybrid system (e.g., Bartel et al., 1993; Fields and Song, 1989; Chevray and Nathans, 1992; Lee et al., 1995). This system may be used as a coarse screen prior to testing a substance for actual ability to modulate activity of the polypeptide. Alternatively, the screen could be used to screen test substances for binding to an SCN5A specific binding partner, or to find mimetics of the SCN5A polypeptide.

Following identification of a substance which modulates or affects polypeptide activity, the substance may be further investigated. Furthermore, it may be manufactured and/or used in preparation, i.e., manufacture or formulation, or a composition such as a medicament, pharmaceutical composition or drug. These may be administered to individuals.

Thus, the present invention extends in various aspects not only to a substance identified using a nucleic acid molecule as a modulator of polypeptide activity, in accordance with what is disclosed herein, but also a pharmaceutical composition, medicament, drug or other composition comprising such a substance, a method comprising administration of such a composition comprising such a substance, a method comprising administration of such a composition to a patient, e.g., for treatment (which may include preventative treatment) of drug-induced torsade de pointes or ventricular fibrillation, use of such a substance in the manufacture of a composition for administration, e.g., for treatment of drug-induced torsade de pointes and ventricular fibrillation, and a method of making a pharmaceutical composition comprising admixing such a substance with a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, vehicle or carrier, and optionally other ingredients.

A substance identified as a modulator of polypeptide function may be peptide or non-peptide in nature. Non-peptide “small molecules” are often preferred for many in vivo pharmaceutical uses. Accordingly, a mimetic or mimic of the substance (particularly if a peptide) may be designed for pharmaceutical use.

The designing of mimetics to a known pharmaceutically active compound is a known approach to the development of pharmaceuticals based on a “lead” compound. This might be desirable where the active compound is difficult or expensive to synthesize or where it is unsuitable for a particular method of administration, e.g., pure peptides are unsuitable active agents for oral compositions as they tend to be quickly degraded by proteases in the alimentary canal. Mimetic design, synthesis and testing is generally used to avoid randomly screening large numbers of molecules for a target property.

There are several steps commonly taken in the design of a mimetic from a compound having a given target property. First, the particular parts of the compound that are critical and/or important in determining the target property are determined. In the case of a peptide, this can be done by systematically varying the amino acid residues in the peptide, e.g., by substituting each residue in turn. Alanine scans of peptide are commonly used to refine such peptide motifs. These parts or residues constituting the active region of the compound are known as its “pharmacophore”.

Once the pharmacophore has been found, its structure is modeled according to its physical properties, e.g., stereochemistry, bonding, size and/or charge, using data from a range of sources, e.g., spectroscopic techniques, x-ray diffraction data and NMR. Computational analysis, similarity mapping (which models the charge and/or volume of a pharmacophore, rather than the bonding between atoms) and other techniques can be used in this modeling process.

In a variant of this approach, the three-dimensional structure of the ligand and its binding partner are modeled. This can be especially useful where the ligand and/or binding partner change conformation on binding, allowing the model to take account of this in the design of the mimetic.

A template molecule is then selected onto which chemical groups which mimic the pharmacophore can be grafted. The template molecule and the chemical groups grafted onto it can conveniently be selected so that the mimetic is easy to synthesize, is likely to be pharmacologically acceptable, and does not degrade in vivo, while retaining the biological activity of the lead compound. Alternatively, where the mimetic is peptide-based, further stability can be achieved by cyclizing the peptide, increasing its rigidity. The mimetic or mimetics found by this approach can then be screened to see whether they have the target property, or to what extent they exhibit it. Further optimization or modification can then be carried out to arrive at one or more final mimetics for in vivo or clinical testing.

3. Methods of Use: Nucleic Acid Diagnosis and Diagnostic Kits

In order to detect the presence of an SCN5A allele predisposing an individual to drug-induced torsade de pointes and ventricular fibrillation, a biological sample such as blood is prepared and analyzed for the presence or absence of susceptibility alleles of SCN5A. In order to detect the presence of predisposition to drug-induced torsade de pointes and ventricular fibrillation or as a prognostic indicator, a biological sample is prepared and analyzed for the presence or absence of mutant alleles of SCN5A. Results of these tests and interpretive information are returned to the health care provider for communication to the tested individual. Such diagnoses may be performed by diagnostic laboratories, or, alternatively, diagnostic kits are manufactured and sold to health care providers or to private individuals for self-diagnosis.

Initially, the screening method involves amplification of the relevant SCN5A sequences. In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the screening method involves a non-PCR based strategy. Such screening methods include two-step label amplification methodologies that are well known in the art. Both PCR and non-PCR based screening strategies can detect target sequences with a high level of sensitivity.

The most popular method used today is target amplification. Here, the target nucleic acid sequence is amplified with polymerases. One particularly preferred method using polymerase-driven amplification is the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The polymerase chain reaction and other polymerase-driven amplification assays can achieve over a million-fold increase in copy number through the use of polymerase-driven amplification cycles. Once amplified, the resulting nucleic acid can be sequenced or used as a substrate for DNA probes.

When the probes are used to detect the presence of the target sequences the biological sample to be analyzed, such as blood or serum, may be treated, if desired, to extract the nucleic acids. The sample nucleic acid may be prepared in various ways to facilitate detection of the target sequence, e.g. denaturation, restriction digestion, electrophoresis or dot blotting. The targeted region of the analyte nucleic acid usually must be at least partially single-stranded to form hybrids with the targeting sequence of the probe. If the sequence is naturally single-stranded, denaturation will not be required. However, if the sequence is double-stranded, the sequence will probably need to be denatured. Denaturation can be carried out by various techniques known in the art.

Analyte nucleic acid and probe are incubated under conditions which promote stable hybrid formation of the target sequence in the probe with the putative targeted sequence in the analyte. The region of the probes which is used to bind to the analyte can be made completely complementary to the targeted region of SCN5A. Therefore, high stringency conditions are desirable in order to prevent false positives. However, conditions of high stringency are used only if the probes are complementary to regions of the chromosome which are unique in the genome. The stringency of hybridization is determined by a number of factors during hybridization and during the washing procedure, including temperature, ionic strength, base composition, probe length, and concentration of formamide. These factors are outlined in, for example, Maniatis et al., 1982 and Sambrook et al., 1989. Under certain circumstances, the formation of higher order hybrids, such as triplexes, quadraplexes, etc., may be desired to provide the means of detecting target sequences.

Detection, if any, of the resulting hybrid is usually accomplished by the use of labeled probes. Alternatively, the probe may be unlabeled, but may be detectable by specific binding with a ligand which is labeled, either directly or indirectly. Suitable labels, and methods for labeling probes and ligands are known in the art, and include, for example, radioactive labels which may be incorporated by known methods (e.g., nick translation, random priming or kinasing), biotin, fluorescent groups, chemiluminescent groups (e.g., dioxetanes, particularly triggered dioxetanes), enzymes, antibodies, gold nanoparticles and the like. Variations of this basic scheme are known in the art, and include those variations that facilitate separation of the hybrids to be detected from extraneous materials and/or that amplify the signal from the labeled moiety. A number of these variations are reviewed in, e.g., Matthews and Kricka, 1988; Landegren et al., 1988; Mifflin, 1989; U.S. Pat. No. 4,868,105; and in EPO Publication No. 225,807.

As noted above, non-PCR based screening assays are also contemplated in this invention. This procedure hybridizes a nucleic acid probe (or an analog such as a methyl phosphonate backbone replacing the normal phosphodiester), to the low level DNA target. This probe may have an enzyme covalently linked to the probe, such that the covalent linkage does not interfere with the specificity of the hybridization. This enzyme-probe-conjugate-target nucleic acid complex can then be isolated away from the free probe enzyme conjugate and a substrate is added for enzyme detection. Enzymatic activity is observed as a change in color development or luminescent output resulting in a 10³–10⁶ increase in sensitivity. For an example relating to the preparation of oligodeoxynucleotide-alkaline phosphatase conjugates and their use as hybridization probes, see Jablonski et al. (1986).

Two-step label amplification methodologies are known in the art. These assays work on the principle that a small ligand (such as digoxigenin, biotin, or the like) is attached to a nucleic acid probe capable of specifically binding SCN5A. Allele specific probes are also contemplated within the scope of this example and exemplary allele specific probes include probes encompassing the predisposing mutations of this patent application.

In one example, the small ligand attached to the nucleic acid probe is specifically recognized by an antibody-enzyme conjugate. In one embodiment of this example, digoxigenin is attached to the nucleic acid probe. Hybridization is detected by an antibody-alkaline phosphatase conjugate which turns over a chemiluminescent substrate. For methods for labeling nucleic acid probes according to this embodiment see Martin et al., 1990. In a second example, the small ligand is recognized by a second ligand-enzyme conjugate that is capable of specifically complexing to the first ligand. A well known embodiment of this example is the biotin-avidin type of interactions. For methods for labeling nucleic acid probes and their use in biotin-avidin based assays see Rigby et al., 1977 and Nguyen et al., 1992.

It is also contemplated within the scope of this invention that the nucleic acid probe assays of this invention will employ a cocktail of nucleic acid probes capable of detecting SCN5A. Thus, in one example to detect the presence of SCN5A in a cell sample, more than one probe complementary to the gene is employed and in particular, the number of different probes is alternatively two, three, or five different nucleic acid probe sequences. In another example, to detect the presence of mutations in the SCN5A gene sequence in a patient, more than one probe complementary to these genes is employed where the cocktail includes probes capable of binding to the allele-specific mutations identified in populations of patients with alterations in SCN5A. In this embodiment, any number of probes can be used, and will preferably include probes corresponding to the gene mutation identified as predisposing an individual to drug-induced torsade de pointes and ventricular fibrillation.

4. Methods of Use: Peptide Diagnosis and Diagnostic Kits

The presence of predisposition to drug-induced torsade de pointes and ventricular fibrillation can also be detected on the basis of the alteration of wild-type SCN5A polypeptide. Such alterations can be determined by sequence analysis in accordance with conventional techniques. More preferably, antibodies (polyclonal or monoclonal) are used to detect differences in, or the absence of SCN5A peptides. Techniques for raising and purifying antibodies are well known in the art, and any such techniques may be chosen to achieve the preparations claimed in this invention. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, antibodies will immunoprecipitate SCN5A proteins from solution as well as react with these proteins on Western or immunoblots of polyacrylamide gels. In another preferred embodiment, antibodies will detect SCN5A proteins in paraffin or frozen tissue sections, using immunocytochemical techniques.

Preferred embodiments relating to methods for detecting SCN5A or its mutations include enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), radioimmunoassays (RIA), immunoradiometric assays (IRMA) and immunoenzymatic assays (IEMA), including sandwich assays using monoclonal and/or polyclonal antibodies. Exemplary sandwich assays are described by David et al., in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,376,110 and 4,486,530, hereby incorporated by reference.

5. Methods of Use: Rational Drug Design

The goal of rational drug design is to produce structural analogs of biologically active polypeptides of interest or of small molecules with which they interact (e.g., agonists, antagonists, inhibitors) in order to fashion drugs which are, for example, more active or stable forms of the polypeptide, or which, e.g., enhance or interfere with the function of a polypeptide in vivo. See, e.g., Hodgson, 1991. In one approach, one first determines the three-dimensional structure of a protein of interest (e.g., SCN5A polypeptide) by x-ray crystallography, by computer modeling or most typically, by a combination of approaches. Less often, useful information regarding the structure of a polypeptide may be gained by modeling based on the structure of homologous proteins. An example of rational drug design is the development of HIV protease inhibitors (Erickson et al., 1990). In addition, peptides (e.g., SCN5A polypeptide) are analyzed by an alanine scan (Wells, 1991). In this technique, an amino acid residue is replaced by Ala, and its effect on the peptide's activity is determined. Each of the amino acid residues of the peptide is analyzed in this manner to determine the important regions of the peptide.

It is also possible to isolate a target-specific antibody, selected by a functional assay, and then to solve its crystal structure. In principle, this approach yields a pharmacore upon which subsequent drug design can be based. It is possible to bypass protein crystallography altogether by generating anti-idiotypic antibodies (anti-ids) to a functional, pharmacologically active antibody. As a mirror image of a mirror image, the binding site of the anti-ids would be expected to be an analog of the original receptor. The anti-id could then be used to identify and isolate peptides from banks of chemically or biologically produced banks of peptides. Selected peptides would then act as the pharmacore.

Thus, one may design drugs which have, e.g., improved SCN5A polypeptide activity or stability or which act as inhibitors, agonists, antagonists, etc. of SCN5A polypeptide activity. By virtue of the availability of cloned SCN5A sequences, sufficient amounts of the SCN5A polypeptide may be made available to perform such analytical studies as x-ray crystallography. In addition, the knowledge of the SCN5A protein sequences provided herein will guide those employing computer modeling techniques in place of, or in addition to x-ray crystallography.

6. Methods of Use: Gene Therapy

According to the present invention, a method is also provided of supplying wild-type SCN5A function to a cell which carries a mutant SCN5A allele. Supplying such a function should allow normal functioning of the recipient cells. The wild-type gene or a part of the gene may be introduced into the cell in a vector such that the gene remains extrachromosomal. In such a situation, the gene will be expressed by the cell from the extrachromosomal location. More preferred is the situation where the wild-type gene or a part thereof is introduced into the mutant cell in such a way that it recombines with the endogenous mutant gene present in the cell. Such recombination requires a double recombination event which results in the correction of the gene mutation. Vectors for introduction of genes both for recombination and for extrachromosomal maintenance are known in the art, and any suitable vector may be used. Methods for introducing DNA into cells such as electroporation, calcium phosphate co-precipitation and viral transduction are known in the art, and the choice of method is within the competence of the practitioner.

As generally discussed above, the SCN5A gene or fragment, where applicable, may be employed in gene therapy methods in order to increase the amount of the expression products of such gene in cells. It may also be useful to increase the level of expression of wild-type SCN5A even in those heart cells in which the mutant gene is expressed at a “normal” level, but the gene product is not fully functional.

Gene therapy would be carried out according to generally accepted methods, for example, as described by Friedman (1991) or Culver (1996). Cells from a patient would be first analyzed by the diagnostic methods described above, to ascertain the production of SCN5A polypeptide in the cells. A virus or plasmid vector (see further details below), containing a copy of the SCN5A gene linked to expression control elements and capable of replicating inside the cells, is prepared. The vector may be capable of replicating inside the cells. Alternatively, the vector may be replication deficient and is replicated in helper cells for use in gene therapy. Suitable vectors are known, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,252,479 and PCT published application WO 93/07282 and U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,691,198; 5,747,469; 5,436,146 and 5,753,500. The vector is then injected into the patient. If the transfected gene is not permanently incorporated into the genome of each of the targeted cells, the treatment may have to be repeated periodically.

Gene transfer systems known in the art may be useful in the practice of the gene therapy methods of the present invention. These include viral and nonviral transfer methods. A number of viruses have been used as gene transfer vectors or as the basis for repairing gene transfer vectors, including papovaviruses (e.g., SV40, Madzak et al., 1992), adenovirus (Berkner, 1992; Berkner et al., 1988; Gorziglia and Kapikian, 1992; Quantin et al., 1992; Rosenfeld et al., 1992; Wilkinson and Akrigg, 1992; Stratford-Perricaudet et al., 1990; Schneider et al., 1998), vaccinia virus (Moss, 1992; Moss, 1996), adeno-associated virus (Muzyczka, 1992; Ohi et al., 1990; Russell and Hirata, 1998), herpesviruses including HSV and EBV (Margolskee, 1992; Johnson et al., 1992; Fink et al., 1992; Breakefield and Geller, 1987; Freese et al., 1990; Fink et al., 1996), lentiviruses (Naldini et al., 1996), Sindbis and Semliki Forest virus (Berglund et al., 1993), and retroviruses of avian (Bandyopadhyay and Temin, 1984; Petropoulos et al., 1992), murine (Miller, 1992; Miller et al., 1985; Sorge et al., 1984; Mann and Baltimore, 1985; Miller et al., 1988), and human origin (Shimada et al., 1991; Helseth et al., 1990; Page et al., 1990; Buchschacher and Panganiban, 1992). Most human gene therapy protocols have been based on disabled murine retroviruses, although adenovirus and adeno-associated virus are also being used.

Nonviral gene transfer methods known in the art include chemical techniques such as calcium phosphate coprecipitation (Graham and van der Eb, 1973; Pellicer et al., 1980); mechanical techniques, for example microinjection (Anderson et al., 1980; Gordon et al., 1980; Brinster et al., 1981; Costantini and Lacy, 1981); membrane fusion-mediated transfer via liposomes (Felgner et al., 1987; Wang and Huang, 1989; Kaneda et al., 1989; Stewart et al., 1992; Nabel et al., 1990; Lim et al., 1991); and direct DNA uptake and receptor-mediated DNA transfer (Wolff et al., 1990; Wu et al., 1991; Zenke et al., 1990; Wu et al., 1989; Wolff et al., 1991; Wagner et al., 1990; Wagner et al., 1991; Cotten et al., 1990; Curiel et al., 1992; Curiel et al., 1991). Viral-mediated gene transfer can be combined with direct in vivo gene transfer using liposome delivery, allowing one to direct the viral vectors to the tumor cells and not into the surrounding nondividing cells. Alternatively, the retroviral vector producer cell line can be injected into tumors (Culver et al., 1992). Injection of producer cells would then provide a continuous source of vector particles. This technique has been approved for use in humans with inoperable brain tumors.

In an approach which combines biological and physical gene transfer methods, plasmid DNA of any size is combined with a polylysine-conjugated antibody specific to the adenovirus hexon protein, and the resulting complex is bound to an adenovirus vector. The trimolecular complex is then used to infect cells. The adenovirus vector permits efficient binding, internalization, and degradation of the endosome before the coupled DNA is damaged. For other techniques for the delivery of adenovirus based vectors see Schneider et al. (1998) and U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,691,198; 5,747,469; 5,436,146 and 5,753,500.

Liposome/DNA complexes have been shown to be capable of mediating direct in vivo gene transfer. While in standard liposome preparations the gene transfer process is nonspecific, localized in vivo uptake and expression have been reported in tumor deposits, for example, following direct in situ administration (Nabel, 1992).

Expression vectors in the context of gene therapy are meant to include those constructs containing sequences sufficient to express a polynucleotide that has been cloned therein. In viral expression vectors, the construct contains viral sequences sufficient to support packaging of the construct. If the polynucleotide encodes SCN5A, expression will produce SCN5A. If the polynucleotide encodes an antisense polynucleotide or a ribozyme, expression will produce the antisense polynucleotide or ribozyme. Thus in this context, expression does not require that a protein product be synthesized. In addition to the polynucleotide cloned into the expression vector, the vector also contains a promoter functional in eukaryotic cells. The cloned polynucleotide sequence is under control of this promoter. Suitable eukaryotic promoters include those described above. The expression vector may also include sequences, such as selectable markers and other sequences described herein.

Gene transfer techniques which target DNA directly to heart tissue is preferred. Receptor-mediated gene transfer, for example, is accomplished by the conjugation of DNA (usually in the form of covalently closed supercoiled plasmid) to a protein ligand via polylysine. Ligands are chosen on the basis of the presence of the corresponding ligand receptors on the cell surface of the target cell/tissue type. These ligand-DNA conjugates can be injected directly into the blood if desired and are directed to the target tissue where receptor binding and internalization of the DNA-protein complex occurs. To overcome the problem of intracellular destruction of DNA, coinfection with adenovirus can be included to disrupt endosome function.

The therapy is as follows: patients who carry an SCN5A susceptibility allele are treated with a gene delivery vehicle such that some or all of their heart precursor cells receive at least one additional copy of a functional normal SCN5A allele. In this step, the treated individuals have reduced risk of drug-induced torsade de pointes and ventricular fibrillation to the extent that the effect of the susceptible allele has been countered by the presence of the normal allele.

7. Methods of Use: Peptide Therapy

Peptides which have SCN5A activity can be supplied to cells which carry a mutant or missing SCN5A allele. Protein can be produced by expression of the cDNA sequence in bacteria, for example, using known expression vectors. Alternatively, SCN5A polypeptide can be extracted from SCN5A-producing mammalian cells. In addition, the techniques of synthetic chemistry can be employed to synthesize SCN5A protein. Any of such techniques can provide the preparation of the present invention which comprises the SCN5A protein. The preparation is substantially free of other human proteins. This is most readily accomplished by synthesis in a microorganism or in vitro.

Active SCN5A molecules can be introduced into cells by microinjection or by use of liposomes, for example. Alternatively, some active molecules may be taken up by cells, actively or by diffusion. Supply of molecules with SCN5A activity should lead to partial reversal of drug-induced torsade depointes and ventricular fibrillation. Other molecules with SCN5A activity (for example, peptides, drugs or organic compounds) may also be used to effect such a reversal. Modified polypeptides having substantially similar function are also used for peptide therapy.

8. Methods of Use: Transformed Hosts

Animals for testing therapeutic agents can be selected after mutagenesis of whole animals or after treatment of germline cells or zygotes. Such treatments include insertion of mutant SCN5A alleles, usually from a second animal species, as well as insertion of disrupted homologous genes. Alternatively, the endogenous SCN5A gene of the animals may be disrupted by insertion or deletion mutation or other genetic alterations using conventional techniques (Capecchi, 1989; Valancius and Smithies, 1991; Hasty et al., 1991; Shinkai et al., 1992; Mombaerts et al., 1992; Philpott et al., 1992; Snouwaert et al., 1992; Donehower et al., 1992). After test substances have been administered to the animals, the predisposition to drug-induced torsade de pointes and ventricular fibrillation must be assessed. If the test substance prevents or suppresses the appearance of drug-induced torsade de pointes and ventricular fibrillation, then the test substance is a candidate therapeutic agent for prevention of drug-induced torsade de pointes and ventricular fibrillation. These animal models provide an extremely important testing vehicle for potential therapeutic products.

The identification of the association between the SCN5A gene mutation and drug-induced torsade de pointes and ventricular fibrillation permits the early presymptomatic screening of individuals to identify those at risk for developing drug-induced torsade de pointes and ventricular fibrillation. To identify such individuals, the SCN5A alleles are screened for mutations either directly or after cloning the alleles. The alleles are tested for the presence of nucleic acid sequence differences from the normal allele using any suitable technique, including but not limited to, one of the following methods: fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH), direct DNA sequencing, PFGE analysis, Southern blot analysis, single stranded conformation analysis (SSCP), linkage analysis, RNase protection assay, allele specific oligonucleotide (ASO), dot blot analysis and PCR-SSCP analysis. Also useful is the recently developed technique of DNA microchip technology. For example, either (1) the nucleotide sequence of both the cloned alleles and normal SCN5A gene or appropriate fragment (coding sequence or genomic sequence) are determined and then compared, or (2) the RNA transcripts of the SCN5A gene or gene fragment are hybridized to single stranded whole genomic DNA from an individual to be tested, and the resulting heteroduplex is treated with Ribonuclease A (RNase A) and run on a denaturing gel to detect the location of any mismatches. Two of these methods can be carried out according to the following procedures.

The alleles of the SCN5A gene in an individual to be tested are cloned using conventional techniques. For example, a blood sample is obtained from the individual. The genomic DNA isolated from the cells in this sample is partially digested to an average fragment size of approximately 20 kb. Fragments in the range from 18–21 kb are isolated. The resulting fragments are ligated into an appropriate vector. The sequences of the clones are then determined and compared to the normal SCN5A gene.

Alternatively, polymerase chain reactions (PCRs) are performed with primer pairs for the 5′ region or the exons of the SCN5A gene. PCRs can also be performed with primer pairs based on any sequence of the normal SCN5A gene. For example, primer pairs for one of the introns can be prepared and utilized. Finally, RT-PCR can also be performed on the mRNA. The amplified products are then analyzed by single stranded conformation polymorphisms (SSCP) using conventional techniques to identify any differences and these are then sequenced and compared to the normal gene sequence.

Individuals can be quickly screened for common SCN5A gene variants by amplifying the individual's DNA using suitable primer pairs and analyzing the amplified product, e.g., by dot-blot hybridization using allele-specific oligonucleotide probes.

The second method employs RNase A to assist in the detection of differences between the normal SCN5A gene and defective genes. This comparison is performed in steps using small (˜500 bp) restriction fragments of the SCN5A gene as the probe. First, the SCN5A gene is digested with a restriction enzyme(s) that cuts the gene sequence into fragments of approximately 500 bp. These fragments are separated on an electrophoresis gel, purified from the gel and cloned individually, in both orientations, into an SP6 vector (e.g., pSP64 or pSP65). The SP6-based plasmids containing inserts of the SCN5A gene fragments are transcribed in vitro using the SP6 transcription system, well known in the art, in the presence of [α˜³²P]GTP, generating radiolabeled RNA transcripts of both strands of the gene.

Individually, these RNA transcripts are used to form heteroduplexes with the allelic DNA using conventional techniques. Mismatches that occur in the RNA:DNA heteroduplex, owing to sequence differences between the SCN5A fragment and the SCN5A allele subclone from the individual, result in cleavage in the RNA strand when treated with RNase A. Such mismatches can be the result of point mutations or small deletions in the individual's allele. Cleavage of the RNA strand yields two or more small RNA fragments, which run faster on the denaturing gel than the RNA probe itself.

Genetic testing will enable practitioners to identify individuals at risk for drug-induced torsade de pointes and ventricular fibrillation at, or even before, birth. Presymptomatic diagnosis of drug-induced torsade de pointes and ventricular fibrillation will enable prevention of this disorder. Genetic testing and improved mechanistic understanding of drug-induced torsade de pointes and ventricular fibrillation provide the opportunity for prevention of life-threatening arrhythmias through rational therapies. It is possible, for example, that sodium channel blocking agents may be an effective treatment for patients with mutations that alter the function of SCN5A. Finally, these studies may provide insight into mechanisms underlying common arrhythmias, as these arrhythmias are often associated with abnormal cardiac repolarization and may result from a combination of inherited and acquired factors.

9. Pharmaceutical Compositions and Routes of Administration

The SCN5A polypeptides, antibodies, peptides and nucleic acids of the present invention can be formulated in pharmaceutical compositions, which are prepared according to conventional pharmaceutical compounding techniques. See, for example, Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, 18th Ed. (1990, Mack Publishing Co., Easton, Pa.). The composition may contain the active agent or pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the active agent. These compositions may comprise, in addition to one of the active substances, a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, carrier, buffer, stabilizer or other materials well known in the art. Such materials should be non-toxic and should not interfere with the efficacy of the active ingredient. The carrier may take a wide variety of forms depending on the form of preparation desired for administration, e.g., intravenous, oral, intrathecal, epineural or parenteral.

For oral administration, the compounds can be formulated into solid or liquid preparations such as capsules, pills, tablets, lozenges, melts, powders, suspensions or emulsions. In preparing the compositions in oral dosage form, any of the usual pharmaceutical media may be employed, such as, for example, water, glycols, oils, alcohols, flavoring agents, preservatives, coloring agents, suspending agents, and the like in the case of oral liquid preparations (such as, for example, suspensions, elixirs and solutions); or carriers such as starches, sugars, diluents, granulating agents, lubricants, binders, disintegrating agents and the like in the case of oral solid preparations (such as, for example, powders, capsules and tablets). Because of their ease in administration, tablets and capsules represent the most advantageous oral dosage unit form, in which case solid pharmaceutical carriers are obviously employed. If desired, tablets may be sugar-coated or enteric-coated by standard techniques. The active agent can be encapsulated to make it stable to passage through the gastrointestinal tract while at the same time allowing for passage across the blood brain barrier. See for example, WO 96/11698.

For parenteral administration, the compound may be dissolved in a pharmaceutical carrier and administered as either a solution or a suspension. Illustrative of suitable carriers are water, saline, dextrose solutions, fructose solutions, ethanol, or oils of animal, vegetative or synthetic origin. The carrier may also contain other ingredients, for example, preservatives, suspending agents, solubilizing agents, buffers and the like. When the compounds are being administered intrathecally, they may also be dissolved in cerebrospinal fluid.

The active agent is preferably administered in a therapeutically effective amount. The actual amount administered, and the rate and time-course of administration, will depend on the nature and severity of the condition being treated. Prescription of treatment, e.g. decisions on dosage, timing, etc., is within the responsibility of general practitioners or specialists, and typically takes account of the disorder to be treated, the condition of the individual patient, the site of delivery, the method of administration and other factors known to practitioners. Examples of techniques and protocols can be found in Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences.

Alternatively, targeting therapies may be used to deliver the active agent more specifically to certain types of cell, by the use of targeting systems such as antibodies or cell specific ligands. Targeting may be desirable for a variety of reasons, e.g. if the agent is unacceptably toxic, or if it would otherwise require too high a dosage, or if it would not otherwise be able to enter the target cells.

Instead of administering these agents directly, they could be produced in the target cell, e.g. in a viral vector such as described above or in a cell based delivery system such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,550,050 and published PCT application Nos. WO 92/19195, WO 94/25503, WO 95/01203, WO 95/05452, WO 96/02286, WO 96/02646, WO 96/40871, WO 96/40959 and WO 97/12635, designed for implantation in a patient. The vector could be targeted to the specific cells to be treated, or it could contain regulatory elements which are more tissue specific to the target cells. The cell based delivery system is designed to be implanted in a patient's body at the desired target site and contains a coding sequence for the active agent. Alternatively, the agent could be administered in a precursor form for conversion to the active form by an activating agent produced in, or targeted to, the cells to be treated. See for example, EP 425,731A and WO 90/07936.

EXAMPLES

The present invention is further detailed in the following examples, which are offered by way of illustration and are not intended to limit the invention in any manner. Standard techniques well known in the art or the techniques specifically described below are utilized.

Example 1 Identification of an SCN5A Mutation Associated with Drug-induced Torsade de Pointes

Arrhythmias frequently result from treatment with medications, cost commonly antiarrhythmic drugs. To determine the genetic basis for these arrhythmias, individuals with drug-induced torsade de pointes and ventricular fibrillation were screened for mutations in known arrhythmia genes. One of the genes which was screened is SCN5A the sequence of which is given by SEQ ID NO:1. The encoded SCN5A protein is shown as SEQ ID NO:2. This sequence is also available from GenBank as Accession No. NM000335. An SCN5A variant, shown as SEQ ID NO:3 was found in four African-American individuals, three of whom experienced arrhythmia after amiodarone treatment and one after infusion of brevital. This variant was also found in two additional African-American individuals. All six individuals had prolongation of their QT interval on electrocardiograms which was exacerbated in the four drug-induced arrhythmia cases.

The mutation which is seen in these individuals is the change at base 3308 of the SCN5A coding sequence wherein the wild-type C is an A in the mutant version. This results in the encoded protein having a tyrosine at amino acid residue 1103 rather than the serine found in the wild-type at this location. This S1103Y variant was present in 11% of the tested African-American individuals, but was not seen in other ethnic groups.

The S1103Y variant was detected on a 0.5X MDE (Mutation Detection Enhancement; FMC BioProducts) gel run overnight at 500V at room temperature.

Example 2 Screening Assay for Drug Candidates Useful for Treating or Preventing Drug-induced Torsade de Pointes or Ventricular Fibrillation

Persons with SCN5A encoding a protein of SEQ ID NO:4 are susceptible to drug-induced torsade de pointes and ventricular fibrillation. Drugs may prevent these effects by means, e.g., binding to the mutated SCN5A in a manner which prevents the drug-induced effects. Assays for screening for such drugs, irrelevant of the mechanism of action of such drugs in preventing the drug-induced torsade de pointes and ventricular fibrillation, can be performed.

A. In Vitro Assay

The assay comprises placing a first set of cells expressing the mutant SCN5A into a bathing solution, inducing a current across the SCN5A sodium channel and measuring a first induced current. A second set of cells which expresses wild-type SCN5A is placed into a separate bathing solution, a current is induced and a second induced current is measured. A drug is added to the first set of cells in solution, a current is induced, and a third induced current is measured. The order of measuring the second current relative to measuring the first and third currents is irrelevant. If the drug results in the third induced current being more similar to the second induced current than is the first induced current, then the drug is a drug candidate for treating persons with the mutated SCN5A to treat or prevent the occurrence of drug-induced torsade de pointes or ventricular fibrillation. Preferably the cells being used which express the mutant SCN5A do not also express wild-type SCN5A. Such cells are prepared by making transgenic cells or by injecting cells such as frog oocytes with RNA to express the mutant SCN5A. The term “cells” in this disclosure includes tissue samples as well as single cells.

B. In Vivo Assay

An assay similar to the in vitro method is performed on transgenic animals wherein the animals express either wild-type SCN5A or the mutant SCN5A. Currents are induced and measurements of the induced currents are made. The transgenic animals expressing mutant SCN5A have measurements made without drug treatment and with drug treatment and the measurements are compared to the induced current in animals expressing the wild-type SCN5A. If the induced current in the drug-treated transgenic animal is more similar to the induced current in the wild-type animal than is the induced current in the nondrug-treated mutant animal as compared to the induced current in the wild-type animal, then the drug is a drug candidate for treating persons with the mutated SCN5A.

Example 3 Assays to Determine Whether a Drug can Induce Torsade de Pointes in a Person with an SCN5A Mutation

Certain drugs are known to cause torsade depointes and ventricular fibrillation in certain individuals. As demonstrated herein, persons with the SCN5A S 1103Y mutation are predisposed to such drug-induced effects with certain drugs. Assays to determine whether other drugs may also cause torsade de pointes and ventricular fibrillation in persons with this mutation can be performed.

A. In Vitro Assay

One assay comprises placing cells expressing the mutant SCN5A into a bathing solution, inducing a current across the SCN5A Na⁺ channel and measuring the induced current, then adding the drug to be tested to the bathing solution, inducing a current and measuring this second induced current. If the drug has no effect upon the induced current then it will not induce torsade de pointes and ventricular fibrillation in persons with this mutation as a result of the mutation. If the drug does affect the induced current then it may induce torsade de pointes and ventricular fibrillation in persons with the mutation.

B. In Vivo Assay

An in vivo assay to test whether a drug may cause drug-induced torsade de pointes or ventricular fibrillation in a person with a specific mutation in SCN5A is to prepare a transgenic animal with mutant SCN5A such that the mutant SCN5A is expressed, induce a current across the SCN5A Na⁺ channel of cells expressing the mutant SCN5A, administer the drug to be tested to the transgenic animal, induce a current and compare this second current with the current induced in the absence of the drug. If the drug has no effect on the induced current it will not cause torsade de pointes or ventricular fibrillation in a person with the SCN5A mutation as a result of the mutation.

C. In Vivo Assay

A second in vivo assay is to prepare a transgenic animal which expresses a mutant SCN5A gene and then administer the drug to be tested to the animal. The animal is then observed to determine whether torsade de pointes or ventricular fibrillation occurs. If no such adverse events occur then the drug will not induce them in persons with the mutation. If such events do occur in the transgenic animals but do not occur in animals expressing wild-type SCN5A when they are administered the drug, then the drugs can induce torsade depointes and ventricular fibrillation in persons with the SCN5A mutation as a result of the mutation.

Example 4 Generation of Polyclonal Antibody Against SCN5A

Segments of SCN5A coding sequence are expressed as fusion protein in E. Coli. The overexpressed protein is purified by gel elution and used to immunize rabbits and mice using a procedure similar to the one described by Harlow and Lane (1988). This procedure has been shown to generate Abs against various other proteins (for example, see Kraemer et al., 1993).

Briefly, a stretch of SCN5A coding sequence is cloned as a fusion protein in plasmid PET5A (Novagen, Inc., Madison, Wis.). After induction with IPTG, the overexpression of a fusion protein with the expected molecular weight is verified by SDS/PAGE. Fusion protein is purified from the gel by electroelution. Identification of the protein as the SCN5A fusion product is verified by protein sequencing at the N-terminus. Next, the purified protein is used as immunogen in rabbits. Rabbits are immunized with 100 μg of the protein in complete Freund's adjuvant and boosted twice in 3 week intervals, first with 100 μg of immunogen in incomplete Freund's adjuvant followed by 100 μg of immunogen in PBS. Antibody containing serum is collected two weeks thereafter.

This procedure is repeated to generate antibodies against the mutant forms of the SCN5A gene product. These antibodies, in conjunction with antibodies to wild type SCN5A, are used to detect the presence and the relative level of the mutant forms in various tissues and biological fluids.

Example 5 Generation of Monoclonal Antibodies Specific for SCN5A

Monoclonal antibodies are generated according to the following protocol. Mice are immunized with immunogen comprising intact SCN5A or SCN5A peptides (wild type or mutant) conjugated to keyhole limpet hemocyanin using glutaraldehyde or EDC, as is well known.

The immunogen is mixed with an adjuvant. Each mouse receives four injections of 10 to 100 μg of immunogen and after the fourth injection blood samples are taken from the mice to determine if the serum contains antibody to the immunogen. Serum titer is determined by ELISA or RIA. Mice with sera indicating the presence of antibody to the immunogen are selected for hybridoma production.

Spleens are removed from immune mice and a single cell suspension is prepared (see Harlow and Lane, 1988). Cell fusions are performed essentially as described by Kohler and Milstein (1975). Briefly, P3.65.3 myeloma cells (American Type Culture Collection, Rockville, Md.) are fused with immune spleen cells using polyethylene glycol as described by Harlow and Lane (1988). Cells are plated at a density of 2×10⁵ cells/well in 96 well tissue culture plates. Individual wells are examined for growth and the supernatants of wells with growth are tested for the presence of SCN5A specific antibodies by ELISA or RIA using wild type or mutant SCN5A target protein. Cells in positive wells are expanded and subcloned to establish and confirm monoclonality.

Clones with the desired specificities are expanded and grown as ascites in mice or in a hollow fiber system to produce sufficient quantities of antibody for characterization and assay development.

Example 6 Sandwich Assay for SCN5A

Monoclonal antibody is attached to a solid surface such as a plate, tube, bead or particle. Preferably, the antibody is attached to the well surface of a 96-well ELISA plate. 100 μL sample (e.g., serum, urine, tissue cytosol) containing the SCN5A peptide/protein (wild-type or mutants) is added to the solid phase antibody. The sample is incubated for 2 hrs at room temperature. Next the sample fluid is decanted, and the solid phase is washed with buffer to remove unbound material. 100 μL of a second monoclonal antibody (to a different determinant on SCN5A peptide/protein) is added to the solid phase. This antibody is labeled with a detector molecule (e.g., ¹²⁵I, enzyme, fluorophore, or a chromophore) and the solid phase with the second antibody is incubated for two hrs at room temperature. The second antibody is decanted and the solid phase is washed with buffer to remove unbound material.

The amount of bound label, which is proportional to the amount of SCN5A peptide/protein present in the sample, is quantified. Separate assays are performed using monoclonal antibodies which are specific for the wild-type SCN5A as well as monoclonal antibodies specific for each of the mutations identified in SCN5A.

Example 7 Assay to Screen Drugs Affecting the SCN5A Na⁺ Channel

With the knowledge that SCN5A forms a cardiac sodium channel, it is now possible to devise an assay to screen for drugs which will have an effect on this channel. The gene SCN5A is transfected into oocytes or mammalian cells and expressed as described above. The transfection is performed using wild-type or specifically mutated SCN5A. When the gene used for transfection contains a mutation which causes predisposition to drug-induced torsade de pointes and ventricular fibrillation a change in the induced current is seen as compared to transfection with the wild-type gene. A drug candidate is added to the bathing solution of the transfected cells to test the effects of the drug candidates upon the induced current. A drug candidate, which alters the induced current such that it is closer to the current seen with cells transfected with wild-type SCN5A, is useful for treating drug-induced torsade de pointes and ventricular fibrillation.

While the invention has been disclosed in this patent application by reference to the details of preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that the disclosure is intended in an illustrative rather than in a limiting sense, as it is contemplated that modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art, within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

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1. A method for diagnosing the presence of a polymorphism in human SCN5A which causes predisposition to drug-induced torsade de pointes or ventricular fibrillation wherein said method comprises determining the presence of said polymorphism in a sample from a human by means which detect the presence of said polymorphism, wherein said polymorphism is one which results in SCN5A encoding the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:4 and wherein the presence of said polymorphism is indicative of said predisposition.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein said means comprises: a) using a single-stranded conformation polymorphism technique to assay for said polymorphism; b) sequencing human SCN5A; c) performing an RNAse assay; d) performing an allele specific hybridization; e) performing a single base extension assay; f) performing an allele specific polymerase chain reaction; g) amplifying all or part of the SCN5A gene from said sample to produce an amplified sequence and sequencing the amplified sequence; h) molecularly cloning all or part of the SCN5A gene from said sample to produce a cloned sequence and sequencing the cloned sequence; i) amplification of SCN5A gene sequences in said sample and hybridization of the amplified sequences to nucleic acid probes which comprise wild-type SCN5A gene sequences; j) amplification of SCN5A gene sequences in said sample and hybridization of the amplified sequences to nucleic acid probes which comprise mutant SCN5A gene sequences; or k) determining in situ hybridization of the SCN5A gene from said sample with one or more nucleic acid probes which comprise the SCN5A gene sequence or a mutant SCN5A gene sequence.
 3. An isolated DNA comprising a nucleic acid encoding the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:4.
 4. An isolated polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:4.
 5. A cell transfected with the DNA of claim 1, wherein the cell is an isolated cell or a cell in culture.
 6. A vector comprising the isolated DNA of claim
 1. 7. A cell transfected with the vector of claim 6, wherein the cell is an isolated cell or a cell in culture. 